Jeff Schultz

By Not-So-Neutral Zoner

June 18, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Schultz, you sound like a broken record. All you do is whine and complain while constantly trying to get Mr. Waddell fired.

Many of us want you fired, Schultz, and we pay buy the paper version of this rag the same way we pay for our Thrashers tickets. (Oh, you don’t pay for your Thrashers tickets, do you, Schultzie?)

Are you able to write ANYTHING about the Thrashers without trying to get the GM fired?

Do you have ANYTHING relatively insightful about the Thrashers to write about for those of us who obviously know and care more about the cumulative history of this team than you ever could, “Mr.” Schultz?

I doubt you would even recognize a forecheck if you received one while playing WarCraft, “Mr.” Schultz?

Why don’t you come down and visit with the real fans of the franchise at the Thrashers Draft Party this Friday night at Philips, “Mr.” Schultz, and trying spewing some of this nonsense to our faces?

By N2Hockey

June 18, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this

LOL why you hating on Jeff S? The truth hurts and I don’t care how many times he writes it or repeats it, IT’s the truth… the whole organazation is a load of crap from the owners to the gm to the ticket reps… Get your head out of your as* and realize he’s right and maybe someday someone will listen and get rid of that bum DW……We need to trade our draft picks because we NEVER develop anyone… The wolves won the calder and those kids got hardly any playing time with us, he sent them up and down all season If anderson is offered the job here, i hope for his sake he tells DW to cram it!

By Billy

June 18, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this

Great read Jeff. You are 100% right on. Don Waddell has done enough damage to this organization and it is a shame the NHL has not put an end to the ownership dispute and found someone else to lead this organization. Waddell should have been fired years ago, but without solid ownership, what could really get done? The team is a mess from TOP-down. There will never be any consistency unless there is consistency with the owners, GM, and coach; all of which is quite suspect.

Kovalchuk’s career could have been better than Ovechkin’s. He could have been the NHL poster child instead of Crosby. But hockey in the south was a receipe for oblivion. And theat is where all the players are when they land in Atlanta.

Hossa knew this when he got traded from Ottawa. This is also why is wanted to be traded this past spring. Who can really blame him?

Kovalchuk will follow-suit. There is NOTHING this organization can do at this point to secure a consistently winning team. It will take another 5-7 years before we have enough solid and developed prospects to even consider being a playoff team.

Kovalchuk should be traded this summer to get some 4-5 players in return. This is the only imaginable way this team can consider refilling its cabinets of prospects to develop. Then they need to hire Anderson and let the rookies grow and learn from their mistakes.

By Terri

June 18, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this

N2Hockey - How would you like it if we all came to the ARBY’S location where you work EVERY SINGLE DAY and tried to get you fired for not washing your hands after pleasuring yourself to photos of Martin Brodeur before returning to the Curly Fries station?

Please don’t be so ugly.

By B. Thenet

June 18, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Certainly ominous quotes from Kovalchuk’s agent there.

I like DW, and overall the drafting has improved since the lockout….sadly not much else has.

Poor UFA signings, poor trades, poor use of assets, and a misguided sense of loyalty that puts players ahead of the good of the team.

You have to wonder just how hamstrung he is by the ASG, but he has certainly not done much to inspire confidence in the average Thrashers fan as of late.

By Barry

June 18, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

The thing that worries me is in two years and Kovy is gone…who is going to score us goals? Caps have Ovechkin. Penguins have Crosby. Every team has some sort of offensive superstar scoring goals, but when Kovy is probably gone…who will we have???

By LAC

June 18, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

Sitting here in Kansas City tonight, I could not help but remember this town had NHL hockey once.

The Kansas City Scouts, remember them ? Played at The Kemper in the West Bottoms, they were losers and moved to Denver, where they were losers then moved to New Jersey,Gota solid owner Excellent committed GM who knows how to WIN and how many Stanley Cups do they have… A Few.

We look like an expansion team from every aspect, we are a joke in the NHL,no GOOD Players want to come or stay here, no GOOD WINNING Coaches want to come here,why…TWO WORDS don waddell.

A man who is as a complete failure in a job as I have ever seen. He has ZERO clue as to running a professional hockey team, he is a LOSER in every aspect from start to finish… a TOTAL FAILURE.

Why he will not resign is beyond all of us, why he has not been FIRED is a new wonder of the world, but rest assured he will drive the stake through the heart of this franchise deeper and deeper until there is no choice to move… Say what a great idea, here to Kansas City, new building,great steaks, a few tornadoes, but otherwise a nice city.

It would be a shame to lose another team, but if don waddell is allowed to preform anymore of his BS I bet in three years the team is gone, that is how much destruction don waddell has done to this franchise… and these worthless owners could care less !

Lastly not so neutral you are a one hit wonder who know nothing about the issue at hand, Jeff hit it right so go wash your mouth out with soap !

By midtownrebecca

June 18, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this

Year 9 of a 5 year plan.

The only problem is, if you fire Waddell do you really trust the idiots of the ASG to pick a new GM? It makes no sense that over 250 days later, we still don’t have a coach and after 9 seasons we don’t have solid ownership.

New coach will be coach number 3. ASG is the 2nd group of owners. DW is the 1 and only GM.

Hmmmm…why doesn’t 1+1=3?

By Mike

June 18, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Pleasuring himself to pics of martin? That to me sounds ugly,kind of the pot calling the kettle black wouldn’t you say? DW has proved himself to be of NO value to the team take off the rose colored glasses will you he/she PE teacher.

By Alan

June 18, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

Are you able to write ANYTHING about the Thrashers without trying to get the GM fired?

Newsflash: Many of us want the GM fired. I think I’ve settled for his product for long enough.

Our hopes of keeping Kovalchuk rest completely on the players we can sign during free agency. At this point, I don’t even care that Waddell is the man running draft duties for the Thrashers. I believe our only hope of retaining Kovalchuk is the deals a different GM can pull.

Todd White is a good guy for a third liner. Waddell brought him in for four years, and put him on the top line. “Here’s your center, Kovy!” Yeeeeah, no, that’s just not going to work.

If Todd White is an indicator of what Waddell’s idea of a top center is, I not only want him fired, I don’t want him to set foot near a different organization.

By beau vighn

June 18, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this

Hey Jeff, Great job and you are right on. It looks like Donny has some family members checking the blog and rushing to his defense.

Don Waddell may be the greatest guy in the history of the world, but as an NHL GM he is a bust. The proof is in the pudding. Look at the short history of our franchise. ‘Nuff said

By Bob

June 18, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this

Waddell retaining his job is the single biggest mind boggling thing I’ve ever seen happen in hockey. He rightly should have been let go many years ago, yet year after year, the Teflon Don is still here.

Well, guess what. Based on that, I’m no longer still there as a season ticket holder.

If Waddell is in the house, I’m stayin in mine

By Jeff

June 18, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

It looks like this ownership group wants to devalue this team for the lawsuit so the claim won’t be so high otherwise why let this happen. It is sad that the NHL will never let Atl have another franchise after this one, and the only hockey some of us will know is sorry Don Waddell brand hockey. It is bad that we are trapped like this and the fools at ASG know it. With retards like Not-So-Neutral Zoner who must work in the front office. (Hey Ben how is it going edited any good blog posts lately) The next move has to come from the owners who could care less about the fans. Shame on them Well Nashville is not that far is it.

By ranallo10

June 18, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Alan — Which do you feel is more likely, the ASG sacks up, fires a GM, and shells out big money for a quick turnaround of this franchise in order to retain Kovalchuk (shelling out big bucks again)…or…the ASG stays status-quo, retains Waddell’s services, and lives off the small profit margin while banking off of The Flat Screen’s many other revenue driving services (concerts, Hawks games, Dream games, etc)?

Personally, I have less faith in the ASG than I do in Waddell, because I at least can tell Waddell has this teams best interests AT HEART. I think the ASG has the best interests of their wallet at heart, and thus they’ll retain the GM who has kept this team marginally successful (at best) and has continued bringing in 14,000+ spectators on average.

LAC — I’m not disputing that NJ is a solid franchise from the GM down, but clearly a good franchise deserves better than the bottom of the league in attendance. They win, yet relatively nobody sees them do it. I am comfortable knowing the bandwagon Atlanta fans would come in droves once this team starts winning, but I have no clue how long it’ll take for the ASG to WANT to start winning (even though your favorite man, Mr. Snydell, infamously stated their goal is the Stanley Cup).

Anyways, t-minus 45 hours to draft time.

By Jeff Schultz

June 18, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

Not-So-Neutral-Zoner: I’m writing a column about the team going into the draft, which calls for analysis of the team’s current state. If you don’t like the opinion, that’s fine. But this isn’t the time to write, “Everything’s great,” because everything isn’t. Trust me, I’d love to write about a winning hockey team. As far as my social plans go, thanks but I’ve got plans Friday. But if you want to send me an email or leave a message on my voicemail, I’d be happy to chat (404-526-5774) …. Billy: I know the “trade Kovalchuk” thing is picking up steam with some. I’m not in favor of that right now because he’s the one star this team has and the one reason to buy a ticket (or, yes, Neutral Zoner, the reason to use my free pass). The team has a year before it seriously needs to start considering that. FYI: According to CBA rules, a team can extend a player’s contract when it has one year remaining. So the Thrashers will begin to get their answer next summer on whether Kovalchuk wants to come back., …. Barry: I actually believe that in a salary system, a team can rebuild fairly quickly. But: 1) you have to make the right decisions and, 2) you have to set a direction and create an atmosphere that makes this attractive to other players. ….. Thanks all. I’ll try to check in later. JS.

By T-Bone

June 18, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

February 2010, that’s when DW pulls another last minute, trade deadline deal and unloads the soon-to-be UFA Kovy and that’s when hockey in Atlanta will no longer have any measurable pulse. Nice job Donny, nice job!

By T-Bone

June 18, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this

February 2010, that’s when DW pulls another last minute, trade deadline deal and unloads the soon-to-be UFA Kovy and that’s when hockey in Atlanta will no longer have any measurable pulse. Nice job Donny, nice job and well done by our wonderfully committed and astute ownership group! Well done!

By The Other Bob

June 18, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

Why don’t you come down and visit with the real fans of the franchise at the Thrashers Draft Party this Friday night at Philips, “Mr.” Schultz, and trying spewing some of this nonsense to our faces? - So, what you are trying to say N-S-NZ is that the only “real” fans that the Thrashers have are the ones who have their heads shoved firmly up their a*******es and cannot, no, WILL NOT see the obvious?

Get a clue!

By Not-So-Neutral Zoner

June 18, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this

Schultz, if you want to “report” on the pre-draft state of the franchise, the please start doing so. (REPORTING, that is!)

For months now, anything that I read from you regarding the Thrashers is little more than a “Bash Waddell…. Again…” session that has gotten BEYOND stale.

I am there for every game at Philips and watching every televised road game to which I can’t make it. I know as well as anyone how “Not Great” the state of the team is right now. While not everyone follows the team that closely, nothing you’ve dispensed as of late hasn’t already been noticed ad nauseam by even the most casual hockey observers here in Atlanta.

I don’t want to give the GM a total pass, but I don’t want to scapegoat him for every single thing, either. The biggest problem with this franchise at present is the current ownership group, the condescending arrogance of some of the members and their across-the-board penny pinching antics.

To save time for everyone from no on, Schultz, why don’t you just put Don Waddell’s playoff record, number of failed draft picks, coaching hire failures and number of years on the job the title or even in your own byline so that you will have to actually write something NEWSWORTHY (as opposed to reciting ancient history…. again…) in the body of the article whenever you write a piece about the Thrashers?

That would certainly be a swell upgrade and a nice change of pace.

Thanks.

By Sage of Bluesland

June 18, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

My, how pitiful the sheep sound these days! How wonderfully pathetic!

Our bumbling, blustering joke of a GM has nearly finished running this joke of a franchise completely into the ground. Completely.

But, hey, don’t forget our Sunshiney Donny has opened his lisping mouth and stated that we are ahead of last year’s Flyers team (which finished near the bottom, but turned it around this past year to win a couple of playoff series with a revamped roster)…There goes Donny again, all bluster and absolutely zero results…

Yet the sheep still swoon over his every word—because they SOOOO want to BEWIEVE IN BWUEWAND!!!

Poor misguided lambs who continue to subsidize the utter incompetence! You have now become a major part of the problem—and not the solution. You are ENABLING this farce to continue!

Oh well, you sheep deserve what you get. You bought it—I hope you enjoy it!

No, no, no—please don’t ever complain about Donny now—it’s wayyy too late for that…Just plug in any number of his past ‘promises’ or ‘plans’ so you can sweep better at night, eh?

Look in the mirror for the other half of the joke! Hey, at least the lambchop set provides a good laugh, huh?

Thank you, Jeff, for being the ‘only’ writer who actually cares about the team—and its REAL fans—to write the truth as opposed to completely selling out like Mark Bradley (similar to his rump-kissing of the equally incompetent decade-long GM of the Hawks, Pete Babcock)…

Please keep up the good work, the good fight, and the good crusade…Incompetence and buffoonery will not triumph in that figurative joke otherwise created by and known as “Blueland”…

(Ooops, too late on that last score…Silly wittle sheep, now look what you’ve done…)

By moose

June 18, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this

“Why don’t you come down and visit with the real fans of the franchise at the Thrashers Draft Party this Friday night at Philips, “Mr.” Schultz, and trying spewing some of this nonsense to our faces?”

Well, not so neutral, I think Jeff was right on. I feel the same way. BTW, I’ll be at the draft party too. Maybe you’d like to share your mis-guided, off your rocker view with ME. I’ll be easy to recognize; I’ll be the one with a pitch fork, and torch.

By Matt

June 18, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this

Normally I don’t like much of what you say in your columns Jeff….. but I gotta say I agree with this one… well minus the fact that you couldn’t give away season tickets, I’d still willingly take two anywhere in Phillips. I love my Thrashers, but this team is a mess.

By Jeff Schultz

June 18, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this

Neutral zoner: You want a fact? Here you go. The Atlanta Spirit Group is the third set of owners Waddell has worked for (1. Turner; 2. AOL-TImeWarner; 3, ASG). So while I’m not defending ASG, it’s safe to say the direction, agenda and structure were set long before they arrived. …. Sage, others: Thanks. … Moose: I love the smell of brimstone in the morning. …. Matt: OK, I’ll give you that — they could give away tickets. Slight exaggeration. (Writer’s license.) Hockey fans always will buy tickets because, well, they really like hockey. But I’m guessing the season-ticket base will be at an all-time low next season (which is not to say the number ever will be made public). …. And now, it’s time to grab a pillow. …. JS

By R. Stroz

June 18, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Not-So-Neutral Zoner

Why don’t you come down and visit with the real fans of the franchise at the Thrashers Draft Party this Friday night at Philips, “Mr.” Schultz, and trying spewing some of this nonsense to our faces?

I’ll be down there spewing away. I’ll be the bald headed guy with a BULLHORN chanting FIRE WADDELL. If you have the fortitude (nice way of saying balls), come by and I’ll gladly discuss the most idiotic GM in the NHL.

Also be prepared for a discussion of NHL hockey in Atlanta from the early 70’s forward.

BTW, I’m an Atlanta native and a real fan too. Yeah come on.

By tiger7_88

June 18, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Dear Mr. Dum Bass No-So-Neutral-Zoner: Mr. Schultz isn’t paid to report, he’s paid to provide opinions. Considering the results on the ice over the last 8 years, I tend to think that his opinion holds a little more credibility than yours.

By R. Stroz

June 18, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

Schultz - But I’m guessing the season-ticket base will be at an all-time low next season (which is not to say the number ever will be made public).

Well this is public, for the first time in Thrasher history, 13 and 7 game packages are on sale before the schedule is released.

I think it’s safe to say that ticket renewals are un-good. Then again why buy a ticket package for a lousy team with no coach when the ASG will discount the tickets 50% once the season starts.

By Disgusted Fan

June 19, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this

As long as ownership is comprised of a group of fools with no one person having a clue in charge, and as long as Waddell is the GM, the Thrashers are going nowhere. The fact the team has not hired a coach prior to the draft is far, far beyond pathetic. Can you say “and now ladies and gentlemen, your Las Vegas Thrashers!”. Atlanta deserves much more than this.

By Justin

June 19, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers are owned by the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, not the Atlanta Spirit Group.

By R. Stroz

June 19, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

The Thrashers and Hawks are owned by FUBAS (F-d Up By the Atlanta Spirit)

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 12:40 AM | Link to this

Well, is everyone taking notice of this general pattern going on here??? Because it sounds to me like a whole lot of people are pretty pi$$ed off about the state of affairs here… AND WE ARE!!!

Once again, JEFF SCHULTZ is the ONLY AJC Writer with the GUTS to keep it real, tell it like it is, face the facts, and ASK FOR ACCOUNTABILTY!!! The fans want the same! We are mad as hell! The Draft is in 2 days, we have NO COACH, NO CLUE, NO PLANS, and NO DIRECTION… WHY is THAT??? Who is “The Man With The Plan”, the guy pulling the strings, and what is he doing??? HE HAS NO CLUE!!! Donnie FRAUDell is a complete JOKE!!! We are FED UP and TIRED of his constant blabbering and double speak about the state of affairs!

WHY naive fools CONTINUE to listen to this FRAUD of a GM is completely MIND-BOGGLING!!!

MCCRIMMON should NOT even be considered as a candidate!!! He FAILED MISERABLY last year, what more proof do you need???

This is the MOST IMPORTANT Draft in Franchise History!!! We have the chance to grab a Game Maker! Whether Don FRAUDell wants to admit it or not, we are in a Rebuilding Mode. Why ATLANTA SPIRIT, LLC is NOW allowing Donnie to orchestrate this 2ND (some would argue 3RD) REBUILDING Plan is absoulutely puzzling… It is not fair. He has had his chance to “BUILD” and “REBUILD”… It is time to see what someone else can do.

KOVALCHUK has let it be known… the time is NOW… He wants to see some QUALITY players come in here via Free Agency… NOT Ken Klee’s, NOT Todd White’s, TOP-LINE Players!!! DO YOU GET IT??? DO YOU UNDERSTAND??? Otherwise, he will leave… JUST LIKE HOSSA! What will happen then??? Will Donnie FRAUDell get 50 cents on the Dollar for KOVY like he did for HOSSA??? Will we get MORE 3rd and 4th LINERS, DONNIE??? OH, Pretty Please, DONNIE???

It’s absolutely PATHETIC people still “BELIEVE” in this Donnie WAddell joke called “Blueland”. I believe in the THRASHERS, And I Can believe in BLUELAND, but I have MORE THAN ENOUGH PROOF to See Donnie Waddell for he he truly is, a FRAUD of a GM… With Owners who could care less about results, from Management on Down…

What a SAD, SAD Joke Don FRAUDell has turned our Hockey Team into… Truly Heartbreaking…

NUFF SAID.

NUFF SAID.

By Alan

June 19, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this

ranallo - or…the ASG stays status-quo, retains Waddell’s services, and lives off the small profit margin while banking off of The Flat Screen’s many other revenue driving services

This one.

By 10yr plan

June 19, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

Thanks for all your efforts. As someone who communicates with the ASG can you please tell me why a candidate like Pat Quinn(who has expressed interest in the job)has not been interviewed. Is it because he has ties to the past(former Flames captain) or is he too qualified for DW and he’s afraid of losing his job to him(not that he should have one). I really believe the ASG are smart business people, look what Gearon Jr. has done with American Tower. What in the world do they see in DW. I give, please help!

By polskidawg

June 19, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this

Sure makes me long for the good-old-days of a real owner (Tom Cousins) and real GM (Cliff Fletcher).

Yes, I know that Tom sold the team to that awful beer man from Calgary, but there were very difficult circumstances involved.

One thing was for sure - winning was the goal.

I fear that Kovy is gone regardless of this or next years moves, and the team will be in Las Vegas by 2012.

Ugh.

By Brendan

June 19, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

I really think any talk of relocation is misplaced. The lease is iron-clad for at least 12 more years. It’s not realistic to think it will be broken. Here are the possibilities for what will happen. (1) The Spirit will sell the team to a local interest, or not so local interest, who still keeps the team in Atlanta. (2) The Spirit Group will eventually fire Waddell and replace him with a high-dollar competent GM, having run out of other options to bring fans back. Or (3), they won’t fire Waddell, and fans of the visiting teams will fill Philips Arena when their hometown team comes calling. Money is money, right? What does it matter to the owners if the Thrashers score while 65% of the arena boos? The Spirit Group has a business model that yields a small profit, breaks-even, or experiences a slight loss on an annual basis. So, it’s not like the NHL will step in to declare an emergency … unless the team becomes insolvent. The NHL doesn’t care if the Thrashers are merely schedule fodder for the other 29 teams. Every year, by definition, some team finishes LAST. The league doesn’t banish the 30th-place team from NHL existence.

Jeff Schultz, nice column. Accurate column. Retaining Waddell is an indefensible sports decision on the part of the Atlanta Spirit Group, LLC. Can the thinking here, really be … “If after eight seasons out of nine (8/9) missing the playoffs, thennnnn we need to address the GM position? But, clearly, seven out of eight is insufficient evidence for firing someone.” The Spirit Group has not, and will not, experience some epiphany. Not even if you tried to repeatedly explain it to them using sock puppets.

Does ANYONE think that the ownership’s failure to fire Waddell, after finishing in the bottom third of the Conference seven times in eight (7/8) seasons, has gone UNNOTICED by the Kovalchuk camp? Do you think the organ-I-zation’s failure to hire a Head Coach by the June Draft, after releasing Hartley last October (2007), has gone UNNOTICED by the Kovalchuk camp? Does ANYONE think that the Thrashers’ failure to retain players like Marc Savard, Frank Kaberle, and Marian Hossa have gone UNNOTICED by Ilya Kovalchuk and his handler, Jay Grossman?

Stay with me, here. Allright then. Why would it be WRONG to contact Kovalchuk and his agent to simply ask, “Are you committed to leaving in 2010?” Notice how I didn’t say, “Would you take $9 million to stay?” That’d be a contract negotiation, which isn’t possible until July 1, 2009. The question is simply, “Are you leaving in 2010? Yes or no.”

Waddell and the Spirit Group won’t ask this question, in fear of the response. But that doesn’t ABSOLVE THEM from their due diligence to at least pick up the phone to make inquiry. Wouldn’t it change things if the Spirit Group possessed the knowledge that Kovalchuk said something to the effect of, “There’s nothing you can do to make me stay. Don’t even bother asking me what I want. It’s pointless for me to spell out what it’d take for you to keep me. I’m committed to playing in another market in 2010. It’s not about the money.”

Hold up. Maybe not. Jeff, I think you nailed it. It’s about ticket sales. If Kovy marched into the Wadster’s office and bent a fresh biscuit on his desk, attaching a note that read, “That’s what I think of your acumen,” Waddell still cannot trade him. He can’t. I realize that, now. It’s total suicide. The fanbase would revolt, pretty much no matter what the return might be.

That said, Kovalchuk’s optimum trade value is RIGHT NOW. The gaining team gets two (2) guaranteed years of Kovlachuk, at a “bargain” cap hit price of $6.5 million. (The actual price paid is a bit higher.) But they have no assurances of Kovalchuk staying beyond that. Which team would sell out their future for two years of Kovalchuk, pressed into service, in a market he didn’t choose?

There are few GM’s that could successfully pull off that Kovalchuk trade, from an Atlanta perspective. But, most assuredly, Waddell isn’t one of them. He’s there to try to break-even, after revenue-sharing dollars, and keep the team’s value attractive for “re-sale,” which is the TRUE GOAL and intentions of the ownership, despite any claims you may have heard on “Opening Night’s banner raising ceremonies” last October.

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 1:22 AM | Link to this

To save time for everyone from no on, Schultz, why don’t you just put Don Waddell’s playoff record, number of failed draft picks, coaching hire failures and number of years on the job the title or even in your own byline so that you will have to actually write something NEWSWORTHY (as opposed to reciting ancient history…. again…) in the body of the article whenever you write a piece about the Thrashers?

Not-So-Neutral Zoner - I’m sensing a lot of anger and hostility from you towards Mr. Schultz… Can you maybe elaborate on that for us??? I would suggest calming down a bit… Jeff Schultz is STATING FACTS. Schultz is merely doing his job, which happens to be writing about the truth, the facts, and what ACTUALLY happens in “real” life, as opposed to the false promises, “visions”, and 5 Year Plans Donnie FRAUDell so elegantly gets you to believe, how silly of you… If you disagree with Schultz, and can present ANY valid reason Donnie FRAUDell should stay, I’m sure we would all like to hear it. I think you’re a little frustrated with the state of affairs…

I would guess you are a Season Ticket Rep, and you have received a lot of angry telephone calls this afternoon when Donnie FRAUDell failed to Hire a Coach by the time he left for the Draft…

Regardless, my offer stands. Present any valid reasons Schultz’s article is incorrect. He is stating FACTS. The Facts speak for themselves.

So will Next Season’s BIG OLE LOT OF EMPTY SEATS!!!

Will You Still “Believe” in Silly Donnie Then???

Knowledge Is Power.

NUFF SAID.

By R. Stroz

June 19, 2008 1:28 AM | Link to this

Brendan - Concerning the iron-clad lease, could FUBAS be thinking that if they continue to screw up the Thrashers and Hawks that the fans will eventually riot and burn Philips down? Then FUBAS gets out of the lease :D

By JSS

June 19, 2008 3:36 AM | Link to this

Not-So-Neutral Zoner

Man, keep to your guns, I’m so proud of you I could burst!!!

Jeff “Ad nauseum” Schultz, Roswell Ed, and Expose Yourself on the Nationwide Cup Series NASCAR Dave just keep beating the same out sync broken drum… However, I did appreciate the towel dropper quoting from School House Rock!!!

By Todd

June 19, 2008 4:01 AM | Link to this

Jeff,

Sweety, I am afraid I am just not going to be able to make our date at Bulldogs this Friday night. Something has popped up. Would it be okay if we reschedule for Saturday night instead? I just wanted to let you know so you can still be able to go to your hockey thing with your friends if you want. Take care, Babe.

Kisses,

Todd (404) 872-3025

By Sara

June 19, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

Jeff my one rebuttal to the theme of 3 different owners but the same GM is this: Turner really doesn’t count because he only got the ball started. The team wasn’t really put together until AOL/TW purchased the Turner holdings, which just happened to include 3 sports franchises. Now honestly, what did AOL/TW care about sports teams? The Braves were an easy choice to maintain because of the successful run they were on and they more than generated enough revenue to perpetuate themselves. But the Hawks and Thrashers got run into the ground under AOL/TW because they were pretty much the red-headed step-children they didn’t want. AOL/TW NEVER spent money on this franchise which means bringing in quality FAs was never going to be an option no matter who the GM was.

Atlanta Spirit hasn’t gotten much better. The first year, they spent some wild money for sure. But then, along came the lawsuit and down went the payroll. It’s all about cutting costs. I would argue the only reason the Hawks have seen an increase in revenue is because basketball is more viable in an Atlanta market and the NBA brings in much greater TV and ad revenues. There have been huge cutbacks at the arena - rising prices but less staff, often they run out of menu items/beer in their concessions.

Now, a new GM could help in terms of drafting better and getting us better young talent that’s cheap. But if AS continues to try to make this work on the cheap, we will never be able to retain high-profile players.

In any organization, the tone is set at the top. And the top of this one smells worse than the Mississippi Gulf.

By Not-So-Neutral Zoner

June 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

RE: “Neutral zoner: You want a fact? Here you go. The Atlanta Spirit Group is the third set of owners Waddell has worked for (1. Turner; 2. AOL-TImeWarner; 3, ASG). So while I’m not defending ASG, it’s safe to say the direction, agenda and structure were set long before they arrived”

See, Schultz, THIS is exactly the ad nauseam type of garbage I am talking about with you. We don’t need you to recite common knowledge such as this… again… and again…. Like I suggested earlier, just put that same garbage in your byline along with all the other “facts” for which you are so proud to recite in order to save everyone’s time.

In case you have lost sight of this, Schultz, Thrashers fans come to this site hoping, expecting to be informed and learn something NEW about the team when we see a new article or blog.

Even in your blog replies, Schultz, you have again demonstrated that all you can do is recite the obvious “facts” known to everyone and chant the same “Waddell is Bad, Fire His Incompetent Behind” nonsense over and over and over.

Since you have apparently forgotten that you work for a NEWSpaper, Schultz (emphasis on the “NEWS” part), just go ahead and extend your “Tuesday Countdown” to every other day of the week. Stating your opinion or doing an editorial is all well and good, but please have something new to say in a new post that is at least a little different from what you’ve obsessed about (seemingly countless times) before.

Frankly, Schultz, your obsession with getting Waddell out of town comes across as more personal than professional. Did Don jilt you once on a promised scoop? Did he humiliate you, or allow you to humiliate yourself, with an incredibly stupid question you made once at a press conference? Does Waddell remind you too much of the uncle who made you made you go into that dark basement with him to check him for ticks when you were a innocent, scared little boy?

Either start posting something informative or interesting about the Thrashers that hasn’t already been recycled and reposted for months or start making your future diatribes about the Gwinnett Gladiators or an entirely different sport instead.

You cite and recite Waddell’s sub-par statistics such as his number of years without a playoff win at an Obsessive-Compulsive rate, Schultz, but how many years have you had writing about the Thrashers for the AJC without having a successful, original or insightful article the hockey fans of this town would expect?

You job often involves ranting for sports figures to retire or be fired when they can no longer do their jobs effectively. How are you at following your own advice, Schultz?

By Hip Czech

June 19, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

If the Thrashers retain any hope of keeping Kovalchuk, they will have to wow him this season. That means it’s less about draft picks who won’t play in the NHL for two or three years, if ever, than it is about actual roster players. This period, beginning with pre-draft trades, is when a team is formed.

EXACTLY…folks, this draft is only important in that we have some leverage to acquire some player(s) NOW.

We have been waiting 10 years for players to develop in the ‘system’, guess what? We have NONE. Oh, there’s Kovalchuk, and there was Heatley, but those two could have developed under John Candy.

Come on, name me 2 or 3 players that are top 2 forwards or defensemen besides Kovalchuk and Heatley…I’m still waiting.

Lehtonen MAY be a #1 goalie, I’m willing to give him another year or two. But apart from Kovalchuk, Heatley, and maybe Lehtonen where are our system players?

And, when Kovy is gone in 2 years while we are still waiting for our system players to develop…well, it ain’t pretty.

We need the #3 pick to step in NOW, we need to trade the other first round pick for a legit forward NOW. We need to sign 2 FA defensemen and find another forward NOW.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

HipCzech (cough) Enstrom (cough)

We aren’t going to get 2 FA defensemen. We already have 5 D under contract as it is, without including Valabik or the soon-to-be-drafted youngster. Since it’s already been made clear Zhitnik won’t be bought out…no room at the inn.

And this is the crap I am talking about with ownership. Bruce Levenson stood there in a room full of ticked off STHs, and said we would sign one to two top-notch FA d-men this off-season. Well guess what Bruce, I call bullsh!t. They also said they wanted to restructure the front office, bring in a consultant to help Waddell out. Anybody seen one of those?? This ownership lies through it’s teeth like it’s nothing. As I believe ranallo pointed out, at least Don cares about the franchise, even if he does the wrong things sometimes. Nor does he get smashed and then give TV interviews at games looking like a complete jack@ss (and yeah, I’m talking to you again Bruce).

By T-Bone

June 19, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Brendan, I agree the best trade value for Kovy is NOW, but as you said, in so many words,it would absolutely reveal the emperor(DW) to have no clothes, even to the sheep. Thus, we will be subjected to a replay of the Hossa “negotiations” with promises from DW of wanting to “get a deal done” but alas, no deal will be done until a trade on the deadline date in Feb. 2010. That event would impact the value of the franchise in a sale. Thus, I’m hopeful the ASG has that date circled as the drop dead date for selling the club. After that, with Kovy gone, the bid drops considerably. As businessmen first, they have to understand that much!

By Hip Czech

June 19, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Sara…I thought about Enstrom after the post. Though, on any other team he would probably not be a top 2 defenseman. On this team he his.

Besides, that’s only one you can name ;-)

We have ‘six’ defensemen under contract, but that doesn’t mean we can’t trade a couple of them for 7th round picks and a couple goalie sticks. Havelid and Enstrom are two you keep, Popovic too probably…Klee, Exelby and McCarthy you maybe keep one of them. That leaves two more (assuming Zhitnik is either bought out, waived, or can somehow be traded).

What is the next timeline date for settling the ownership lawsuit? How much longer is that going to drag on?

By Marc Savard

June 19, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

Not-So-Neutral Zoner what is your problem? You think Shultz is wrong? Good lord, thicken the skin. Shultz IS doing his job. When your team sucks for this long and the person who runs it is still in charge, YOU SHOULD BE CALLING FOR HIS HEAD. That’s how it works. You should be applauding the AJC for FINALLY CALLING OUT the orginazations in this town that have been stealing money from all of us for years. Read an article in the New York Times or the Philly paper or actually any newspaper in the country that has a lousy team in it’s city, the reporters CALL FOR CHANGES. Thats the way it works and the way it should work. Shultz is right on every single account. I’ve given up all hope for this franchise, we continue to bumble over everything. DW will hose this draft, make no mistake about it. He always does. WHAT A MESS THIS FRANCHISE IS. FIRE DW.

By Lesley

June 19, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

I think that Mr. Schultz’s column hit the nail on the head once again. I was a season ticket holder from the very beginning and while not as rabid as “NSNZ”, I haven’t missed a whole lot of games (I do have a life outside of the Thrashers). I was one of those fans that Mr. Schultz mentioned a few years ago in one of his columns…I would be at a game even if they said that an anvil would be dropped on my head. Unfortunately, I guess one too many anvils got dropped on my head. I WILL not be renewing my season tickets this year. With gas probably being $5.00 a gallon when the season starts, I cannot justify spending my money to watch a team where there is ABSOLUTELY no committment to winning. Right now I feel that to renew my tickets would rank right up there with buying a Corvair or Pinto after the reports came out that they were the unsafest cars on the road. Keep up the good work, Mr. Schultz. It is refreshing to have someone that has the guts to tell it like it is and to share with the masses what a lot of Thrashers’ fans feel.

By kracker

June 19, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Wow, Jeff, you got some joker here that really hates you, it seems to me, cause that poster nas never been posting on the regular Thrashers blogs, so it is you personally, not so much your topic today or what you are saying, that has the guy sputtering into his keyboard. Must be nice to have fans that follow you around!

As for the Thrashers, I have come to realize that this franchise is pretty much screwed until the ASG decides to care about the team. Nothing else will really help long term. We may get lucky and get young help via the draft here and there, maybe a decent FA signing twice a decade, grab a playoff spot now and then but it will remain pretty bleak until the ASG makes developing a winning franchise a priority.

By RS

June 19, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Waddell hasn’t been held accountable for anything he’s done in the past 10 years, he’s certainly not going to be accountable to Kovalchuk.

Thanks Ilya, good luck with your next team. I know I’ll be cheering you on.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

HipCzech I don’t know about Enstrom not being #1 on other teams. Between his offensive skills, his smart decision-making, and calm demeanor, he’s virtually a pint-sized Lidstrom. If he can go through his career avoiding much contact like Lidstrom has, he’ll be a top defender for years.

Under contract for next season are: Zhitnik, Havelid, Enstrom, Exelby, and Klee. Pops and Mac are both FAs (who won’t be back IMO though I prefer Pops to Zhit, Klee, or even X). Klee and X likely will get relagated to 6/7 d-man positions as Havelid-Enstrom take top spots, Zhit-Bogo/Doughty second pair, then Valabik + X/Klee.

Now think about this…who is going to want Zhitnik or maybe even Klee? We might be able to trade X but that would be kind of stupid. He isn’t the greatest but he’s better than the two old farts and he at least hits. So ultimately I think we’re stuck with all of them. Blech!

On the plus side, all three are FA after next season, IIRC. X might have two years left. So maybe next off-season we can pursue more top FA D talent - which would still be enough time to make improvements and still retain Kovy. Maybe there will be a center available worth a poot as well.

While this off-season and season are critical, technically we have two years to get this team back up to snuff and not lose Kovy. If we start this year, and finish next off-season with the right moves/drafts, we could still easily convince Kovy to stay. Too bad there’s an IF in that statement.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Hockey fans always will buy tickets because, well, they really like hockey

Schultz, this is where you’re wrong. I’m as diehard as they get, but we finally gave up our season tickets this year after they decided to retain Waddell again. And I really don’t see us wasting our time to go down there again this year, it is futile. That will hit them in the pocket book hard, and they’ll finally be forced to change. It will happen, but it’ll be painful to watch.

We’ve been there since Day 1, and each year, I’ve seen fellow diehard fans in our section drop off each year, saying “Waddell can’t build a team, I’ll be back when he’s gone”. Guess what? They don’t come back. A few of them would usually come back the first year after dropping their tix, but then they dwindle away, some of them I haven’t seen back in years.

Waddell has worked under three different ownership groups. Not one. Not two. Three. The one constant in this equation year after year is Don Waddell.

Look no further than the “talent” he signs at UFA defenseman each year to “improve” our defense. Really. This says it all right here. No excuses, they all stink. Just plain cold hard facts that fall directly at the feet of Don Waddell, who was a defenseman by the way, in his playing days. I give you the names of the free agent guys (not draft picks that may or may not work out, but known commodities) that this GM signs to improve our defense, yet our defense year in and year out is the worst in hockey, those who don’t hold down their breakfast well at gorey sights may want to cover their eyes:

Adam Burt, Todd Reardon, Richard Smehlik, Uwe Krupp, Kevin Dean, Maxim Galanov, Jean-Luc Grand Pierre, David Harlock, Chris Joseph, Ken Klee, Ivan Majesky, Jaroslav Modry, Chris McAlpine, Rumun Ndur, Daryll Shannon, Jiri Slegr, Chris Tamer, Sergei Vyshedkevich

These are guys that were known commodities, yet signed by Waddell to improve our defense. So save the excuses. After all this time, they ring hollow, and guess what, excuses are something that everyone has and they really do all just plain stink.

There is one common underlying theme to the disaster that is the building of the Atlanta Thrashers. And that is the architecht, Don Waddell. His basic inability to recognize talent, is the cause to all our woess.

Nothing meaningful will change here until meaningful changes are made a real GM is brought in here to build this club

By Lesley

June 19, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

I think that Mr. Schultz’s column hit the nail on the head once again. I was a season ticket holder from the very beginning and while not as rabid as “NSNZ”, I haven’t missed a whole lot of games (I do have a life outside of the Thrashers). I was one of those fans that Mr. Schultz mentioned a few years ago in one of his columns…I would be at a game even if they said that an anvil would be dropped on my head. Unfortunately, I guess one too many anvils got dropped on my head. I WILL not be renewing my season tickets this year. With gas probably being $5.00 a gallon when the season starts, I cannot justify spending my money to watch a team where there is ABSOLUTELY no committment to winning. Right now I feel that to renew my tickets would rank right up there with buying a Corvair or Pinto after the reports came out that they were the unsafest cars on the road. Keep up the good work, Mr. Schultz. It is refreshing to have someone that has the guts to tell it like it is and to share with the masses what a lot of Thrashers’ fans feel.

By Hip Czech

June 19, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

A comment about Montreal’s drafting:

*The downside to the Montreal Canadiens finishing first in the Eastern Conference is that they won’t get to pick until the 25th spot in Friday’s NHL Entry Draft.

But given how much success they’ve had in identifying, selecting and developing their draft choices, it probably won’t be much of an issue.

For the last seven years, the Canadiens have picked gems like Mike Komisarek, Christopher Higgins, Andrei Kostitsyn and Carey Price - all of whom have made significant contributions to the team this season and will continue to do so for years to come. Given that dynamic young core of talent - along with other home-grown players like Sergei Kostitsyn, Ryan O’Byrne, Jaroslav Halak, Maxim Lapierre and Mikhail Grabovski - the Canadiens will likely go with the best player available when their turn comes around.*

The Canadiens have always drafted lower than the Thrashers.

As others so succinctly state - Nuff said

By Sara

June 19, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

I don’t think there’s any question that Waddell can be blamed for the drafting record of this franchise. But Bob I think you are way off-base to pin blame on him for UFA signings. Big UFA signings require money and no set of owners in this club’s history has EVER given Don the fundage to do that. He can only work within the parameters given and those guys you listed are the only ones going to come here for league minimum or slightly better.

By Stan Drulia

June 19, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Jeez… at this point I can’t believe I actually agree with Jeff S. Normally his articles leave me laughing and wanting to knock his teeth in. The Thrashers are really on the brink of destruction here. I consider myself the ultimate non-fair-weather fan… always see the upside and until last season had all the faith in the world in Waddell. I just can’t do it now. We have to make some serious earth-shaking moves here or we are going to lose Kovy in two seasons and destroy our beloved franchise in the process.

By T-Bone

June 19, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Bob, I too was a STH since Day One and decided after no change in DW’s status to not renew for the upcoming season. With each passing day, my decision seems more and more correct. And what is interesting is never once did I get a call from my ticket rep to discuss why I didn’t renew. You would think 2 seats in the lower bowl since Day One not being renewed would warrant some kind of discussion as to why. But, as in all other things with this organization incompetence and indifference reign supreme.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

I think you are way off-base to pin blame on him for UFA signings

Sorry, Sara, you seem fixated on the ownership, that’s fine, they are screwed up as well, but Waddell is solely to blame for the guys he chose to sign, he’d have been better off signing no one and developing our draft picks if it was only about money. But even the year the owners gave Waddell max cap to spend, what did he do to fix our defense? That’s right. Nothing.

Save the excuses, Sara. Pardon the analogy, but we do all have them and yes, they do all stink.

The plain cold hard facts is Waddell can’t recognize talent. Our woeful record, shots allowed, goals allowed, proves it. His drafting record (outside of no brainer #1 or #2 overall picks) proves it. His woeful free agent signings proves it. His allowing guys like Bruno, Staios, Kaberle, et al to walk for no return proves it. His goalie signings starting from Day 1 when he laid all that money at the feet of Damian Rhodes, proves it. His trading of Coburn for Zhitnik proves it. His cold hard poor won/loss record proves it. His disaster under multiple coaches, including himself, proves it.

Why can the Canadians draft so well, yet Waddell can’t, if it’s only about money, eh Sara?

Why do other teams make key free agent signings of good players at reasonable prices, and we don’t?

No excuses, just look at the man making the decisions.

And please don’t delude yourself into thinking Gearon or Levenson or whoever is making any hockey decisions, they aren’t. It’s all Waddell.

Look at that list of UFA defenseman. They didn’t all sign for the league minimum, Sara. Even if they did sign for league minimum, was any one of them worth signing then? Nope. Was any one of them better than bringing in one of the 28 (I think that was the # as of last year) defenseman that Waddell drafted? Nope.

Enstrom a #1 on any team in the league? A mini Lidstrom?

Please. Enstrom is at best a solid #3 guy on a competitive NHL hockey club.

The mere fact that you think he’s a legit #1 just goes to show the woeful defensemen that Waddell has brought in here that you have to compare him to.

Please save the excuses. They ring hollow. The cold hard facts are that Waddell is incompetent and until his is gone, nothing meaningful will change here. I’ve said it every year for the past 5 years and every year, it’s proven to be true. And it will be true for this coming year.

All these wasted words. All this wasted effort. All of this wasted time, money, and energy invested in this club. And there’s one, just one, move that fixes it all. Until that move is made, nothing changes.

By NSNZ=Idiot

June 19, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Not-So-Nuetral…shut up moron…what do want…some mindless dolt who simply writes “Everything is perfect with our team” propoganda??? Shultz job is to write columns about our teams and give his opinion. If you disagree…then fine. But for you to blast the man because he isn’t kissing the behind of DW like you do shows a great deal to stupidity.

God, you are an idiot!! tell me…are you honestly saying that D-Wad has NOT been anything but a complete and total failure???

Are you really that blind…or are you really just that stupid?

Or…are you Waddell’s secretary?

By whammer

June 19, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

FANS, IF YOU ARE FANS! ENOUGH, YOU ARE ALL HATING THE OWNERS,GM,ETC.. WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE REALITY OF THIS SITUATION. J.S IS A HACK, AND HIS COLUMNS ARE JUST SILLY AND MEANT TO ENRAGE A RESPONSE WHICH IS SEEMS TO HAVE DONE. NO MAJOR MARKET QUALITY PAPER WOULD GIVE THIS IDIOT A JOB. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT J.S., IT IS YOU THE FANS THAT ARE WRITING ALL THIS HATE THAT I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH. LETS TALK ABOUT FACTS PLEASE AND STOP REACTING TO A COLUMN THAT IS JUST WRITTEN TO GET YOU FIRED UP. 1) The Spirit has only owned these teams a little over 4 years now. When they bought the teams they had been the joke of both leagues and AOL had destroyed them and put them in a hole. Everyone hated that ownership. But these guys did not buy much to work with, lets be real. 2) Weeks after buying the teams Danny Heatly (remember him) - a true star, crashed his car, killed his best friend and ended his career in ATL. Owners fault, don’t think so. In fact they did all they could to help this kid out, and in the end he could not beat the demands in ATL. One great player lost, nothing to do with the organization. 3)The Hawks when purchased had been last in attendance and had a roster that was a joke. 4) Who owns the Hawks, why the Spirit. Hmmm you jerks THE HAWKS WON MORE GAMES AND LOOK MUCH BETTER THAN THE MIGHTY LAKER AGAINST THE CHAMPS - In 4 years from crap to the most exciting sports event (game 6) in years in this city. 5)DON W voted 6th best GM in all of sports year before last. Built a great team who won in a good division that year and got hammered in the playoffs because Hossa and others did not show up and the young players could not carry the team. 6)Spirit able to hire one of the most respected GMs in all of basketball, event the AJC had to admit that and did. SS want in FLA and said the inside NBA people said nothing but great things about SUND. 7)You know nothing about the ongoing legal battles but if you read the papers that report the facts you would know a few interesting point. The value of the teams have no bearing on this now. The ruling have no bearing on spending. The Spirit spent a lot of money two years ago to make a playoff push in which they won their division. Some of those big salaries did not show up in the playoffs. 8)Hawks sign and trade for Joe J and Bibby and that was not cheap. JJ is an allstar and proved it in the playoff and Bibby helped get them there.

I could go on, but as you can see by the facts this owners group in 4 years have made terrific progress and I enjoy going to both teams games as I am a season ticket holder to both. Yes last year was a tough year for the Thrashers, but I remember the exciting year before. You cannot bash this owners group for their progress in 4 years - and the Hawks gave this city some pride back in the playoff.

THE PROBLEM IS A COLUMNIST WHO HAS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE WITH A FEW OF THE OWNERS AND WRITES FROM THAT AND NOT FOR THE FANS. HE WRITES TO MAKE HIMSELF FEEL BETTER.

LETS SUPPORT THESE TEAMS AND NOT JS. I WILL NOT STEP DOWN TO A LEVEL OF OH MEET ME HERE. BUT WHAT I WILL DO AFTER WRITING THIS IS PULL MY ADDS FROM THE AJC AND LET MANAGEMENT KNOW WHY. THAT IS MUCH MORE AFFECTIVE.

ALSO I KNOW IT IS EASY TO BE JEALOUS OF WEALTHY PEOPLE IN HARD TIMES. ALL YOU HATERS SOUND SO JEALOUS. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR LIFE AND LET OTHERS DO THE SAME.

By David

June 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

All this talk of Wadell bashing has me excited. Fire Him! Fire him now 9 crappy seasons only 1 piece in place the whole time

By Sara

June 19, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Bob the only one blind and biased is you. You are so determined to pin every little problem on Waddell because of your extreme hatred of him as GM. It’s short-sighted and ridiculous to not evaluate the big picture and look beyond “the one guy in control.” Did I say he was perfect? Nope - never have. But I can at least recognize that he can be handcuffed. Ownership interferes in sports decisions on every single team simply by parameters they set in terms of budgets, etc. You tell me what FA d-men you would bring in here on a $28 M a year budget. And yeah, sure, let the kids play, even though for years people like you have complained about a lack of FA signings. Problem is there is no pleasing people like you. Waddell could trade for Jokinen and sign Brian Campbell and you’d still hate his guts.

But this comes from the crew that wants to keep harping about stupid crap like “what a bust Stefan was” even though he was the #1 ranked prospect in his draft class. 20-20 hind-sight twisted logic. Spare me.

By Christina

June 19, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

NSNZ = Idiot, is English a second language for you? You articulate, not to mention spell, quite poorly. I would wager your favorite place to sit at Thrashers games is in sections 319 or 320 with all the other uncouth, foul, inarticulate, low-educated simpletons. Mutants like you calling others “stupid” amuses me.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Waddell could trade for Jokinen and sign Brian Campbell and you’d still hate his guts

No I wouldn’t, those would be two great moves. Will Waddell make them? Nope.

I’m not biased and I don’t have extreme hatred for him. I find it very interesting that you, and these couple of Spirit employees up above in this blog are the ones being overly emotional and making wildly off based accusations.

I don’t want Waddell here anymore because he’s incompetent. But he seems like a real nice guy, I don’t hate him, I don’t hate anyone, life’s too short for that and the Good Lord taught us not to hate, doesn’t mean I can’t made decisions on who I will or won’t support, however. Waddell seems like a real class guy with the way he handled the Snyder and Heatley tragedy with class. I admire him for that. I don’t admire him for his abilities as an NHL GM, because he lacks that ability.

He’s killed our hockey team and I want him gone for that. That is the only reason.

Now, you may want to step back and re-evaluate your wild off base accusations. Are your feelings hurt because I laugh at your thinking Enstrom is a mini-Lidstrom or a #1 dman on any NHL team? Sorry, not nice to laugh at you, so I’ll apologize for that, but you may want to check your thoughts on that topic, as others may ridicule for saying that in public.

By Jeff Schultz

June 19, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Good morning. I’ve got to run to a meeting (yes, I have them sometimes) but I wanted to get back to a few more of you. First of all, I know some fans have taken shots at Brad McCrimmon. For the record, Brad deserves NO blame for what happened last season. There were extenuating circumstances to him turning the job last year when it was offered at the All-Star break, and I’ll leave it at that for now. But, outside of being a great guy, McCrimmon has the respect of the players and I think many of them would’ve played hard for him last year if he actually was in charge. But he wasn’t in charge. You can guess the rest. Will he be a great head coach one day? I don’t know. But he probably deserves the chance. …. 10yrPlan: Nice name, by the way. My read on a guy like Quinn is he wouldn’t come here just to coach, he would want more money than ASG would be willing to pay right now and Don would be hiring a guy who effectively might be his replacement at GM. So it seems doubtful to me. Besides, it’s not like he’s coming off a great success in his last job. …. Brendan: It might be a little early to start worrying about relocation but it’s not completely misplaced. And leases, like contracts, can be broken. Thanks for the comments …. Todd: We’ll always have Paris. …. Bob: I hear what you’re saying. But I grew up in Los Angeles as a Kings fan and my family owned season tickets for a while. As bad as the team was (this was pre-Gretzky), they had the same 8,000 every game. The season-ticket base will shrink but I think fans will still go to some games. I guess that’s what I was trying to say. .…. Sara: The ability to sign free agents goes beyond money, believe it or not. Players want to play for a winner. To come to a bad team, they will want to be OVERpaid. If the Thrashers were better, they wouldn’t have to work so hard to get players. Let me refer you to a few years ago when Colorado signed Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne to 1-year deals. Both could’ve gotten more on the open market but they wanted to play for a Cup winner. Thanks JS

By Sara

June 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Hey Christina get your head out of rear - the view might improve. I’m sick of all the crap the Nest has to take simply because we like to be loud and vocal supporting our team. In some ways, it’s so funny though because the organization seems to like our enthusiasm just fine (any idea how many 7th Man Award winners have come from sections 319 and 320??).

Considering I doubt you would condescend to take even two minutes to speak to someone from the Nest, you should keep you uninformed opinions to yourself.

By Ole dawg

June 19, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Hey JS; Can I say something critical of Waddell without you crawling my a$$ like you did when I “critiqued” BC? I would imagine I can since Waddell has never won a cup/series even if it was back when John the Baptist was still a Jew.

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

But Bob I think you are way off-base to pin blame on him for UFA signings.

OH, No you didn’t SARA!!! LMAO! You are starting to sound as silly as that a$$ clown Neutral Zoner that has some grudge against SCHULTZ…

BOB’s Post at 10:17 is RIGHT ON!!! 100% FACT!

Every Single Problem with this Team and Organization is DIRECTLY related to choices made by 1 Individual - Don FRAUDell…

The Facts speak for themselves, SARA…

And there’s one, just one, move that fixes it all. Until that move is made, nothing changes.

It’s so very simple, Yet is DOES NOT get done… WHY is THAT???

By Lance

June 19, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Jeff is right. Don should have been fired years ago. He’s pathetic.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

Jeff if you have to overpay to get an FA to come here, then it REALLY becomes all about the money, doesn’t it?? Keep in mind this FA argument goes waaaayyy back to the days under AOL/TW when the franchise was still new, nowhere near being competitive, and would have had to at least match market value (in a market that had no cap) if not go over to get a big-name talent in here. And AOL sure wasn’t going to spend any kind of serious money to get an FA in here. Apparently Spirit Group isn’t any more willing. They might pay Kovy and Hossa as individuals, but that’s about it. And somehow I don’t see all that money they apparently offered Hossa getting spent on someone else this off-season.

Dave and Bob the point is, you two recite the same junk over and over, clinging to it because I guess you haven’t got anything else?? I could care less that you don’t agree with my opinion on Enstrom. But you two are totally DELUSIONAL if you think replacing Don Waddell is the complete answer. Frankly, I don’t care if they fire him or not. Honestly, I think they’re idiots for not going after Dave Nonis since he’s sitting out there. But if there aren’t MAJOR changes by these owners, they could bring in Ken Holland and still be hating life. Course, Ken Holland isn’t going to come work for this bunch of morons either.

Bob, remember that line you always have about how no respectable coach or player wants to come play for an “idiot” like Waddell?? Well, insert respectable GM and “idiots” for ASG while you’re at it.

By whammer

June 19, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Hey JS - you show your true colors by not responding to my points. Once again your personal hate for a few of these owners brings out your true colors. You ignore facts and try to come off sounding like a hockey reporter, LOL I have read your personal attacks ont these guys. I sure loved them in all the home games in the playoffs and they shook my hand and said thank you like gentlemen for my support. Your a coward period.

By Greg

June 19, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Jeff

What was your goal when you composed this article besides driving more people away from becoming interested in hockey? This isn’t Montreal or Toronto where you can go around and completely tear apart a hockey team like you did in this article. The fanbase, if it even qualifies as one, is fragile and you’re ruining it for a lot of people. If the local media gives off the message that this team is not worth following people will follow and pretty soon you won’t have a hockey team to rip on.
Do you ever look at the positives? You’re just a jacka$$ who wants readers so you write about how everything “sucks”. We hosted the all-star game this year and all you could talk about was how unsuccessful it was. I remember one positive article you wrote about the Thrashers but it was so incredibly sarcastic I nearly puked on it. The fans know the team’s in bad shape, just ease up a bit before you give the message to all of Atlanta that our hockey team is worthless.

By Kyle

June 19, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Jeff - You must not have many friends; negative people aren’t fun to hang out with. I would feel sorry for you but your snobby articles make me sick. I stopped my subsciption because of all the negativity in the AJC and it seemed like you were leading the pack of them all. I’ve been much happier since I stopped reading the AJC. Do yourselves a favor, unsuscribe and live happy. The AJC is just a wormhole of discruntled reporters like this guy who only care about money.

By Kyle

June 19, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Jeff - You must not have many friends; negative people aren’t fun to hang out with. I would feel sorry for you but your snobby articles make me sick. I stopped my subsciption because of all the negativity in the AJC and it seemed like you were leading the pack of them all. I’ve been much happier since I stopped reading the AJC. Do yourselves a favor, unsuscribe and live happy. The AJC is just a wormhole of discruntled reporters like this guy who only care about money.

By Neil Cutler

June 19, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

The collective trash in and around Section 320 can all go burn in the Flaming Pits of Hell.

I hate every single one of those worthless sons of b!tches and skank-nasty b!tches of b!tches. They are too stupid and/or drunk and/or self-absorbed to care about anyone but themselves. Trying to talk with them in a civil manner or get along with them at team functions before or after games is like asking the wind to refrain from blowing - Not Going to work!

Whenever I see those animals trying to sneak in to our lower bowl section, I report them to an usher immediately. Stupid, Rude Clowns!

“Sara” - you can go bang your drunken step-father and make all your obnoxious noise there. Nobody at Philips Arena wants to hear your “EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION TO ME!” behavior.

For all the games you “Jerry Springer Section” jokers have knowingly and defiantly ruined over the years for other THRASHERS fans who are there for the team and the game, Hell isn’t hot enough for garbage like you.

The only thing missing with you classless animals is the requisite fecal matter being flung at one another.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Yeah Neil because you’re the epitome of class.

You know what…there are some jerks who sit in the Nest. Guess what…there are jerks sitting all over the arena. Frankly, I’m more offended by my kids having to see the team produced kiss-cam scenes with girls acting like total w******* than anything they see or hear sitting in the Nest.

Like I said, most people NEVER bother to get to know anyone from the Nest. You should - there are some very cool, nice people and passionate fans. We tailgate every Sat and Sun before games in the Gulch - try joining us for a beer (or soda - believe it or not drunken debauchery is not required for Nest membership). You might actually be surprised.

By LAC

June 19, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Hey kyle & jeff… get a life,if you knew ANYTHING at all about the Thrashers issues you would be in total agreement.

Jeff S. is 100% correct in everything he says and little people who can do nothing except whine because you are living worthless lives, either pay attention to the issues or shut the HELL up with your STUPID barbs at the writer… throw some at asg,llc or don waddell is you want a REAL target, but I doubt you’d hit it with all your HOT AIR !

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Bob, remember that line you always have about how no respectable coach or player wants to come play for an “idiot” like Waddell?? Well, insert respectable GM and “idiots” for ASG while you’re at it.

There was an old line he used to recite, about how the incompetence can be traced all the way to the top. Somehow his point was always that the “top” was Waddell, and not the actual group of owners who represent the tip of the corporate umbrella.

I’m trying to stay out of this argument as Sara and Bob are doing well in it themselves, but the idea that firing Waddell will fix all the wrongs of the team is misguided, in my opinion.

I would prefer Nonis, as Sara also said she would. I have no agenda revolving around supporting Waddell or defending his mistakes…but I do feel that there is ALWAYS more to a story than what is at face value. In this argument, Waddell’s inabilities based on tangible facts (final standings, goals against, etc) are what is face value. The ownership fiasco, the consistent player turnover, the lack of financial support, etc, are the behind the scenes activities that MUST be taken into account when discussing the franchise as a whole.

Waddell is handcuffed, there is NO arguing that. He’s been put in charge of making a competitive team in a fickle hockey market with some of the worst owners in the NHL. He may have done the most he could possibly do with those restrictions. I’m POSITIVE there is another GM out there that could’ve done better. I’m also POSITIVE there are many GMs who would be as successful (I use that word lightly) or worse.

But ANOTHER constant of this hockey franchise is that the ownership does not give money towards the team. There’s a third constant…fickle fan support.

But really, this is all a chicken/egg argument, and it’s all opinion about what caused the team to become bad (it always was bad) so that fans stopped coming (there has always been less than league average attendance) and the owners stopped spending money (when they’ve never spent it) due to a perceived lower profit margin.

Replace Waddell, I don’t care, but until the ASG changes their current business model so that they’re TRYING to win (not just giving us lip service, Mr. Snydell), it wont matter who the GM is. This team will only win IN SPITE of the ownership group.

With this ownership group, what GM worth a lick would WANT to come to Atlanta?

I know I wouldn’t, I’d rather go to Toronto, and their ownership is only SLIGHTLY better than the ASG.

By Darius

June 19, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Greg and Kyle - You must not have a life, because there is no need for you to post under different names when you are the same person reciting the same crap.

Please take account of the context of the article. It is about DW’s multiple failures, NOT Shultz.

By Matt

June 19, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Spot on, Jeff… truth hurts guys… the Thrashers need more fans that actually care about the team being good. Not a bunch of cheerleaders patting each other on the back after telling a future Hall of Fame goalie that he “sucks” when he’s busy shutting out our crappy team in the 3rd period. Trust me, you’re not getting in the goalie’s head, you’re making Atlanta hockey fans look stupid and classless.

I’ll still go to plenty of games, but I’m not buying season tickets again until I see a commitment to winning. There are no guarantees, but not trying will almost undoubtedly end in failure. This organization isn’t trying. Of course, there are many that will say I’m not a fan because I don’t accept the status-quo of crappiness.

By horacio

June 19, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

why no coach yet man? BH should not have been fired, DW should have. But to go into draft with no coach after 250 days is not smart. the Anderson guy looks like the best fit, why is he not hired yet?

By Thorburn's Thugs

June 19, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

WOW, RIGHT ON Jeff Schultz! Brilliant piece. 100% Accurate, as Brendan stated.

I am shocked that people are here actually trying to defend Waddell. Where are they on the Beat Blog or on Rawhide’s blog? I’ve never seen them.

It seems more like a personal attack on Jeff Schultz, which is not necessary. Try all you want, but you will not change the subject of the blog, which is that we have stupid as hell owners and a Clueless GM who should be fired.

And 95% of Thrasher fans would agree.

By Laughing

June 19, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

whammer, greg, & kyle, how about if JS wrote this instead? What a great job Don Waddell has done, who cares that we don’t have a coach, with DW in charge we don’t need one. Boy if DW drafts continue like they have the last 10 years were going to continue to be a GREAT franchise. Man that guy can coach and be the GM. What a talent he is. We’ve seen over the past decade that DW is going to turn this whole thing around. Isn’t he great. His track record signing free agents is unprecedented and I don’t know if he can do any better. We should be proud to have Dandy Don running the show for the Thrashers, I can only hope he keeps up the good job for another 10 years.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA, is that better? hahahhahahhahaha. Try that next time Shultz. Sorry just caught myself laughing out loud. This is great. Typical Atlanta sports fans, “please don’t be a hater, don’t bash DW and the Thrashers, look we wear blue jerseys” ahhahahhahhahahahhaa.

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

But ANOTHER constant of this hockey franchise is that the ownership does not give money towards the team.

RANALDO - Is that WHY HOSSA left??? After Atlanta Spirit LLC offered him WHATEVER HE WANTED????

He did not want to be here because he sees what all of the pi$$ed off fans in this thread see…

This team has NO DIRECTION and NO CLUE, And it’s all 1 guys fault… Donnie FRAUDell… And NOTHING will change here until he is gone!!!

Are you getting EXCITED about this year’s crop of REIRDEN’s, TAMER’s, TJARNQUIST’s, SLEGR’s, KLEE’s, TODD “SOFT AS CHARMIN” WHITE’s YET???

I know I am, because like that pathetic puke with no clue LEVENSON said, “We’re Movin’ In The Right Direction!” HA HA HA, LMMFAO!!!

Where are we “Moving” LEVENSON, Kansas City or Las Vegas??? How much will you pocket from that you jack a$$???

Where will Don FRAUDell Trade KOVY to for some MORE 4th line WIMPS???

What a Sad, Sad, State of Affairs in BLUES-Land!

NUFF SAID.

By BG33Brown

June 19, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Schultz you hit the nail right on the head. How are we going to sign free agents in less than 2 weeks when we don’t even have an F’ing coach. This is unbelieveable.

I have given him the benefit of the doubt before but no longer.

DW, I loathe you.

By britt

June 19, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

its two dAYS BEFORE THE DRAFT AND WE STILL DONT HAVE A COACH. WADDELL NEEDS TO BE GONE RIGHT NOW

By BG33Brown

June 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Schultz you hit the nail right on the head. How are we going to sign free agents in less than 2 weeks when we don’t even have an F’ing coach. This is unbelieveable.

I have given him the benefit of the doubt before but no longer.

DW, I loathe you.

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

NASCAR Dave — No, I didn’t say that’s the ONLY reason player leave, in fact I didn’t get into that aspect of the argument.

Did Savard leave due to “the direction of the franchise” or did he leave because he could get better money elsewhere?

How about Andrew Brunette? Steve Staios??

You can point at 10 players who have left and identify 7 of them as leaving because we could not (or ownership would not) match the dollars they were making elsewhere.

So in your opinion, if the proper monies had been thrown at Savard, Staios, Kaberle (I wasn’t a fan of him while he was here), Clark, Foster, et ali, do you think the franchise would be in the same state it is currently?? Do you think that by retaining players would have created a different environment in which Hossa would’ve been playing, thus giving him a different team to ultimately base his opinion on?

I’d say that if Staios, Brunette, and Savard were still in Atlanta (meaning, the ownership coughed up the $ to retain them), that Hossa would be still in Atlanta as well.

My opinion is that it’s the ownership’s tight purse strings that are the route to many of the problems, your opinion is that Waddell is the person making all of the mistakes and is thus the problem.

In essence we agree, because a smarter and more dedicated ownership group WOULD HAVE fired Waddell…instead our uninspired penny-pinching ownership group backs him.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I don’t care if Waddell is the GM, it doesn’t matter WHO is the GM with this group.

Toronto has not been overly successful IN SPITE of their horrible ownership group, and those nuts aren’t as bad as the ASG.

By BooBooLand

June 19, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, Jeff. Even the angry dumb@sses on here who actually like and agree with you are not even smart enough to spell your name correctly.

Poor Jeff!

By Matt

June 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I remember some Thrashers apologist saying about let Savard walk, “he was asking for as much money as Marian Hossa! Is he really worth more than Hossa?” Well, yeah. Look at his numbers, he puts up more points than Hossa did. By the way, Hossa’s gone too now.

By Matt

June 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

I remember some Thrashers apologist saying about letting Savard walk, “he was asking for as much money as Marian Hossa! Is he really worth more than Hossa?” Well, yeah. Look at his numbers, he puts up more points than Hossa did. By the way, Hossa’s gone too now.

By T-Bone

June 19, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Just think folks, as we sit here trading insults with one another, DW is in a hotel room somewhere in Ottawa plotting his draft day strategy. I really hope and pray he’s not working up some grand draft day trade with the 3rd pick. Oh, the humanity!

By Sara

June 19, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Dave what I want to know is where was the money last year??? Let’s break this down.

As Jeff talked about, players want to play for a contending team. Two seasons ago was the best in franchise history - we claimed a division championship and secured a play-off berth. We were truly “moving in the right direction.” At no point in our franchise’s history would we have had a better opportunity to sign a top FA than right then. Instead what did we get? Todd White - first FA signing of 2007. Why? Not because DW thought White was the answers to his top-line center prayers, I’ll bet. Because the owners weren’t willing to pay for a Briere, Gomez, or Drury. Haven’t you ever stopped to wonder why NO effort was made to sign one of the best three centers in the game today??

AS figured they would have to pony up for Hossa and soon after Kovy. Therefore, they weren’t going to spend any more serious money - that simple. We began last season $7M UNDER the cap. White makes what $2.5M? Add that together - $9.5 M. Granted it’s a bad idea to sign all the way up to the cap but honestly you’re telling me they couldn’t have tried to get one of those guys for $6.5 or $7.5M????

We as fans got screwed last off-season by our owners and we’re gonna get screwed again this off-season. And in the meantime they won’t fire Waddell since he gets to be the patsy all you malcontents focus on. He’ll be the scapegoat and take it. The whole thing p*sses me off.

Face it - Spirit knows all of its fans are mad. They know we just lost one star player and are in serious danger of losing the other. It’s the PERFECT time to make the big management change - yet it isn’t happening. You ought to ask yourselves why. I doubt it’s because Don’s such a nice guy.

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

T-Bone — I hope not too, as his history with moving first round picks has been less than stellar. However, I’m curious to see if he makes a move into the second round, as some quality talents are still on the board in the 40-50 selection range.

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Instead what did we get? Todd White - first FA signing of 2007. Why? Not because DW thought White was the answers to his top-line center prayers, I’ll bet. Because the owners weren’t willing to pay for a Briere, Gomez, or Drury. Haven’t you ever stopped to wonder why NO effort was made to sign one of the best three centers in the game today??

Hee Hee. You’re funny SARA. Donnie cannot properly evaluate talent, it’s that simple. He thinks TODD CHARMIN WHITE is a Top Line Center… He is not. He is 3rd Line at best. AND Donnie OVERPAID for him!!!

Donnie would not sign any of those 3 you mentioned because:

A) He is cheap. He “thinks” he can get clever and get equal production from cheaper players… Did that happen SARA??? NOPE.

B) NONE of those players would even WANT to come here. WHY??? Because why would you want to wither away into obscurity in a franchise that has made ZERO Progress in 10 Years???

C) DRURY would not come here, PERIOD. He had issues with HARTLEY in Colorado.

You need to face the facts SARA… Not all of us here are as ACCEPTING of LOSING as you are…

I would suggest you take a look at reality here. We are in DEEP SH++!

NUFF SAID.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Dave prove Don Waddell is cheap. And I mean prove HE is cheap and NOT that he isn’t allowed to spend money by the owners and never has been.

Zero progress?? You don’t pay attention much Dave. Technically speaking, this franchise showed incremental improvement every single season until this last one. Go look at the stats for yourself.

You aren’t invalidating my argument at all. You just blame on Don what is quite likely the fault of bad owners. Don tries to get “clever” as you put it because all he can do is hope to find a gem for cheap (a la Savard) because he knows his bosses are never going to let him go out and pay high dollars to bring that talent in here.

Please show me how I am accepting of losing? I’m on here griping, same as you. Only difference is, I’m putting the blame in the right place - with the only true people that should be held accountable for the failings of ANY organization - the ones who own it.

And you still haven’t answered my question…WHY hasn’t AS fired Waddell yet? Probably cause he’s doing a good job according to their standards. Too bad the fans don’t share the same standards.

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

Sara — Would you agree that blaming Waddell is akin to blaming a child for stealing stuff from a store? Sure, the kid is at fault for stealing, but the underlying reason is quite possibly because his/her parents haven’t held him/her accountable for such actions. If the child isn’t told “don’t, that’s unacceptable” then can you solely blame the child for doing what he/she felt was right? Or do you have to place blame on the parents ALSO? If the parents have numerously told the child not to do such a thing, yet the child persists, then you punish the child. Otherwise punishing the child but NOT reprimanding the parents will do nothing, as it’ll only perpetuate the continued “wrong” decisions being made.

Waddell is the child being held unaccountable, the ASG are the parents oblivious to the child’s transgressions.

(I’m sure that’s a horrible analogy, I’m not always great with them, but I hope you understand my point.)

If the ASG would do as many people want and focus on winning, not making a profit while spending as little as possible, then they’d have held Waddell accountable this offseason. The ASG hasn’t done that.

WHY hasn’t AS fired Waddell yet? Probably cause he’s doing a good job according to their standards. Too bad the fans don’t share the same standards.

You’re exactly right. The ASG expects Waddell to do what is in their best interest, and Waddell does it well apparently. Unfortunately the best interests of the fans (winning) do not coincide with the best interests of the ownership group (yet to be determined). Due to this schism, the fans will never be happy until the ASG decides to change their measurement for success from the bottom line to the on ice product.

Firing Waddell does nothing unless the ASG learns that they’re supposed to strive for more than mediocrity.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Sara, you’re a Nasty Nester? How did I not know this, but that explains a lot.

Your gang isn’t my cup o’ tea, but I certainly admire your efforts, at least you guys are doing something up there.

But could I ask one thing? Please don’t do the “goalie, you suck” thing when we’re losing 2-0. Please wait at least until we pot one on the other club before that starts? Ok? I really mean that as the Nest makes our fans look like backwoods yokels just learnin’ that there hockey thang when you guys do that. Fair enough?

And you bring your children to sit around that crowd? Really?

On the other points, you have your right to the opinion that it’s all traceable to the owners. However, I’ve been watching hockey for 35 years now and I know a bad GM when I see it, and Waddell is bad, worst I’ve seen. I agree that our current owners are bad as well (court case still not settled?!?!), but I will point out to you that there are GMs who have done more than Waddell over the past 9 years, with less money to work with, and with less #1 and #2 overall draft picks falling in their lap, which allows you top talent at bottom dollar.

It’s my understanding that the way the Thrashers’ are run are that Waddell has carte blanche on the day to day of the club and just needs ownership to sign off on major deals, and we heard from Don himself that he’s never been turned down when requesting money. That’s plain as day to me. And if he’s being a “yes man” and covering for his bosses, then that’s even worse for him as he’s a liar then and not someone we can trust, and doesn’t have the ultimate success of seeing our team win as his motivation.

3 different ownership groups. One GM. One constant result. Sorry, no way no how can anyone convince me that it’s not Don’s fault, especially when I look at the brain dead moves he makes (and yes, on July 1st last year I dogged the Todd White signing and then I dogged the Ken Klee signing, that’s not hindsight)

Especially when there’s other GMs who have done more with less (and who haven’t two overall #1 picks and 2 overall #2 picks in the first 5 years fall in their lap).

If I was the editor of Webster’s dictionary and needed to define Incompetent NHL GM, I’d have an easy time posting a picture for Exhibit A

By Matt

June 19, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

All I’m saying is that Eric Bogosian with the #3 pick is something we’ve always needed on our team… trading that away would be foolish… now the pick we got from Pittsburgh should be traded for a player who’s already ready for the NHL…

By Sara

June 19, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this

Bob the “you suck” chant has been brought up ad nauseum. I don’t have a problem with it when it’s 0-0 or even 1-0 not in our favor - it’s the principal of telling the goalie he sucks, not that we think it’s truly a reality. Yeah, when we’re getting our butts chewed on the ice, it’s weird. But I can’t control 100+ other people. And yes I bring my children around them - they aren’t all foul-mouthed, dirty jerk-offs. I have NEVER heard one of my kids say Suck outside of a hockey game (well - or the living room coach while watching a hockey game). It’s called parenting - some of these other people who freak out about it should try it sometime. I don’t know how you didn’t know I was a Nester - I’ve never made any secret of it. There are at least 4 or 5 other nesters that post on these blogs regularly that I know of.

ranallo it’s a fair enough comparison. Even better would be if the parents sent the kid out to steal. What’s the kid supposed to do - his parents take care of him. Same thing. If owners tell Don he has to put together a competitive team on a budget, what’s he to do. Quit? I suppose he could. And Bob IIRC Levenson was the one who said Don had never been refused money he had asked for. Which makes Levenson a liar (completely believable) and Don just a weak-spined pansy for letting them make him a scapegoat (also completely believable).

We won’t completely agree on this issue, which is fine. I’ll agree there are better GMs (I think all things equal Nonis is better). BUT I don’t think his work with the Thrashers is an entirely fair depiction of what Waddell might be capable of if he worked for good ownership that was committed to winning at all costs (literally).

By Big Jim

June 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Wait. You mean that Bug-Eyed guy is still in charge? Wow. I need to stay in the loop more! I had no idea, I thought he would be gone years ago. No Playoff wins either? Ouch.

By Bob

June 19, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

fair enough, Sara. BTW, I have heard Don, with my own ears, say he’s never been turned down for money. I personally heard him say it twice in those goofy meetings, and I’ve read it in the paper. Levenson did say it as well at the end of last year, but Don says it time and again.

Don also has said time and again that “he’s not worth what he’s asking” when talking about re-signing a player. This goes all the way back to Brunette, who only got $1.5m or something elsewhere, and Kaberle, etc. So, that’s not about money as we signed other guys for the same amounts … Waddell just does not have the basic ability to recognize NHL talent. AHL talent? That’s another story, he’s a heck of an AHL talent scout, look at Chicago’s record and Don’s old record in the IHL with the Gulls and Solar Bears. That’s his forte. NHL? Notsomuch.

By The Other Bob

June 19, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

Is it just me, or does it seem that there are no DW supporters who can simply and rationally cite their reasons why Waddell’s 10 years as GM has been a success?

Nope, all they can do is bash JS or any other person who dares to suggest that it is amazing that he hasn’t been fired yet….GIVEN THE FACTS!

It’s not illogical to wonder how he still has his job.

So, why…DW supporters…can you not simply post a comment citing exactly what Waddell has accomplished in the last decade to make you think he is the right man for the job?

You can’t…can you?

Yet anyone who can point out simple facts and records and then simply give their opinion about why they think the teams needs a change in the front office…well, that person is attacked with such anger and venom…as if someone had just insulted your mother or child.

All you do is show yourselves to be foolish and ignorant. You can throw stones, but you can’t intelligently state your side of the arguement.

Maybe that is because their IS no intelligent side of the arguement for you.

So…DW backers. Here is your chance. Tell us all why DW should not be fired now. Tell us why he should not have been fired after last seasons train wreck that he was such a huge part of. Show us the record, the stats, the facts that the vast majority of us seem to be missing that you know of to defend DW keeping his job.

Enlighten us all…if you can.

By R. Stroz

June 19, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Sara -

I have heard Don, with my own ears, say he’s never been turned down for money.

This statement was made at the Town Hall meeting last year. Levenson was present when DW made the statement. Ya know, the same meeting where Levenson called a STH a smart @ss.

By R. Stroz

June 19, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Sara - Then again, maybe it was Levenson that made the statement about money.

Either way, the comment was not denied.

By Jeff Schultz

June 19, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this

Hello. I’m back. And just who is this “Whammer” fellow? Is it just me or does he sound like a member of ownership? Who else would make such an impassioned defense of Atlanta Spirit and cite my “personal” issues with some of the owners as the reason I must’ve written a negative column? Tell me, Whammer,what do you know about my personal relationship with any of the owners? This should be good. …. As far as responding to your “points,” let me wade through. 1) I don’t write to fire people up. I don’t wake up and decide, “How can I ruin Bruce Levenson’s day today,” for example. I write my opinion. You either like it or you don’t. Clearly, you don’t. I’ll survive. 2) I’ve never judged the Atlanta Spirit on what the owners inherited from AOL. I’ve judged them over the last four years, like anybody should. Everybody knows AOL/Time Warner was not great ownership. But I’ll also say they never had something so embarrassing as a public feud between partners, which makes everybody in both organizations look bad. It’s a drain on front office employees, coaches and athletes. And if you don’t believe that you’re deluded. And know that’s not just something I make up because it sounds good. Believe it or not, Whammer, I actually talk to people at all levels in the organizations — players, coaches, front office. Why would I write one thing if they say another? And another thing Whammer: Oswald acted alone. 3) It’s Dany Heatley, not “Danny” and I’ve certainly never criticized that trade. In fact, I’m sure I complimented Don on the way he handled a tough situation and getting a great player (Hossa) in return. 4) The Hawks have some great young players. Yes, the Hawks looked better against the Celtics than the Lakers did. What exactly is your point though? The Lakers were in the FINALS. The Lakers have won championships. When the Hawks elevate themselves to that status, let’s talk. 5) Don was voted sixth best GM in all of sports? Who voted? What was it based on? Because I can conduct a poll and I’m guessing he wouldn’t rate that high. The players quit last year? The young players couldn’t carry the team? Question, Whammer: Who BUILT the team? Who brought those players in? Who created bad leadership and put too much on the shoulders of the young players? Oh, that’s right. The GM. 6) I like Rick Sund. I’ve said so. But I question whether the decision to keep Mike Woodson was entirely his. That said, I believe Sund will do a good job if he’s given autonomy. But to me that’s an open issue. 7) I would love for you to tell me what we don’t know about the legal battles. I’d also love for you to tell me how perception of a struggling ownership does not affect a team’s ability to do business. As far as actual “value” of the franchise, that’s always going to be based on the same things — revenue streams, expenditures, ticket sales, suites, TV deals, etc. Are you telling me the Thrashers’ revenue is not down, from sponsorships and ticket sales? 8) I praised the Bibby trade. The only thing I ever questioned about the JJ trade was did the team have to give up two first-round picks? I’m certainly not the only one to ask that question. I believed Mr. Belkin asked that question. Is that it? Did I miss anything? Are you still standing, Whammer? To the rest of you, thanks for being lucid.

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

Sara — I’m with Bob regarding the chant. I’ve always thought it just looks stupid, sounds stupid, and is generally…stupid. I’m sure the goalie hears the chant every so often, then remembers “Uh, I’m making $500K per year to ‘suck’.” and that the persons yelling at him are spectators, not competitors. I’m sure they soon forget the chant and carry on.

I’ve never chanted with your group, and I never will. I don’t care if children hear it (they hear worse at middle school, trust me), but I think it serves absolutely no logical purpose.

If I could flick a switch and stop one thing I’d have a hard time looking past the “you suck” statement, with “shoot it” and “KNIGHTS” being a close second/third.

Re: DW — I agree, all things being equal Nonis would be who I’d rather have as the GM. Bob, you’re right, plenty of GMs can and have done better than Waddell over his tenure.

This city can do far better than Waddell, no doubt about it, but the ownership group hasn’t even taken the first step to trying to improve. So, perhaps..JUST PERHAPS..the ownership group is content with Waddell. PERHAPS the ownership group discounts his failures, and considers him a serviceable GM. It’s possible he’ll remain employed simply because of the fact he never publicly calls them out, always allows the blame to befall him, and is very good about saying the right thing (even if it’s glaringly wrong to those who listen).

Until the ASG decides to make a step towards improving this franchise, it wont matter who the GM is. Firing the current GM could be the logical first step, but they can’t even do that right.

Hell, they can’t even buy out a partner in a court mandated timeline…why would I even DARE to think they could buy out or fire an employee (Waddell)?

By TNT

June 19, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

I’ve always thought Schultz wrote funny stuff. This time it was funny and true. And Neil Cutler, take a Prozac or something. After you call people SOB’s and skanky b***, and basically just call them other assorted names, you don’t come off with alot of class yourself. I’ve been to alot of games over the years, and none have them have been ruined by the nest fans. But if they ever do start flinging pooh at each other, I will have to go see that.

By ThrashDawg

June 19, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Amazing, it seems like we have heard all of this before! FACT- DW will be the GM for the upcoming season. The decision has already been made. Why continue to rehash the same crap over and over? I guess the real questions would be these: What would have to happen next year for all the sheep to consider it time for DW to go? AND What would have to happen next year for all the DW haters to say that DW deserves to keep his job? These seem to be more logical things to be discussing not rehashing the same old arguements that nobody ever seems to win! Just my two cents!

By The Other Bob

June 19, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

Been about an hour since I offered up my challenge. Still no takers.

Pity.

ThrashDawg at least makes his point in a reasonsble fashion…but that’s more a submission to the reality that DW will be here, not a REASON why he should. Still, at least it’s was stated like an adult.

tell you all what…I’ll give ya another hour.

By ranallo10

June 19, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

The Other Bob — If you’re calling people out perhaps you should be a little more specific with who you want to reply to your challenge? Maybe identify them?

By Neil Cutler

June 19, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

I know and can readily admit I am a jerk and rarely, if ever, have much in the way of class.

However, unlike the trash in “The Jerry Springer Section,” I leave my poor manners, my foul mouth, my drunken obnoxiousness and animal-like behavior at home before heading over to the arena on Hockey Night.

Unlike the aforementioned goofballs in the Section 320 vicinity, I have no interest in making a rectal cavity out of myself at Philips while deliberately and defiantly trying to ruin the game for my fellow THRASHERS fans.

Go sodomize one another in Hell, Section 320-Area Clowns!

By The Other Bob

June 19, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - My challenge goes out to any and all DW backers who can cite reasons as to why they think he has done a good enough job to still be GM.

I am yet to hear anyone respond to JS, or any other commenter who feels a change is needed, explain just why he should stay.

All I hear from their type is name calling and foolishness.

I just want one logical comment as to why DW is doing a good job.

From anyone….

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

ranallo10 - My challenge goes out to any and all DW backers who can cite reasons as to why they think he has done a good enough job to still be GM.

NASCAR Dave asked the same question on this blog at 1:22 am last night. I didn’t get any responses either, THE OTHER BOB… Just a bunch of whiny wimps crying about SCHULTZ bombarding them with FACTS…

No response, huh???

WHY is THAT???

By Sage of Bluesland

June 19, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

Bob—so eloquent…so true…so simple…facts are tough to deal with, for some…

Poor misguided sheep. It’s really quite humorous, though!

By Sara

June 19, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

So I have a question…what did you guys think when you were watching the playoffs and could hear “Ooossssgooooood, Oooossssgoooood” “Tuuuurrrrcooooo, Tuuuurrrrcoooo” because that kind of chant is tantamount to the same thing - goalie heckling. Only difference is that we add the “you suck” which technically is what the other chant is meant to imply. Nashville uses the same chant. A group of Nesters went up to Raleigh and heckled their goalie in their own building and sure enough, later that season, the Canes fans started using the same chant. It’s kind of like an uncouth Southern thing almost, but it works.

I’ve just never understood the big objection to it. Aside from timing issues perhaps. And I’ve also never heard any complaints when we tell the referees they suck. Heck, we told one of our own nesters he sucked when he wore his Pens jersey to a game.

As a group we’ve tried coming up with different chants, and tried to get more of the crowd involved in chants. It is WAY TOO DARN QUIET in that building which to me is unacceptable. I’d love to see us (all collective fans) utilize the player name chants more often (“Hossa, Hossa” and “Kovy, Kovy”). It’s fun, easy to follow along with, and shows the love (not that Hossa cared about the love, but whatever).

That’s an area where I think ASG is really lacking, in terms of working with the fans to get more things going. Course, if we were winning more games than we were losing and not playing like crap all the time that could help. >:(

By Remie

June 19, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this

“”NASCAR DAVE”” - you are a complete waste of oxygen - Oh yeah, I forgot, you suck your “”OWN”” exhaust. We’re sick of you and your lame friends. BE PRODUCTIVE or GET LOST.

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

WEAK…

Don’t try and change the subject SARA… Some of us would like answers to the questions we asked above…

WHY do they call it the “Nasty Nest”??? Is it because of the awful smell that permeates from that area???

By NASCAR Dave

June 19, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

Hi REMIE, Welcome Back!

Do you have any THRASHER news for us today??? Anything HOCKEY RELATED to discuss???

Do you have an opinion on ANYTHING (Other than NASCAR Dave of course)???

Just wondering…

By Sara

June 19, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

Dave technically I wasn’t changing the subject…discussions about the Nest chants were already going. And the moniker really should be self-explanatory.

As for answering the questions above, I’ve rehashed those arguments a million times over (we all have). YOU never even answered my questions earlier about proving Waddell is as cheap as you say he is, and proving it in such a way that definitively suggests that he has not been hampered by ownership’s unwillingness to spend the dough where and when needed.

My position at this point is this: Waddell is not the root of all problems with this franchise. He’s made some mistakes, learned from some of them, others maybe not so much. He means well and tries to do his best. He’s been dealt some crap no one would ever expect (Heatley/Snyder, the great goalie run of ‘05-‘06). He’s pulled off a few good trades (Kozlov, though we disagree on that, Savard). His trading has been middle of the road - some teams do better, some have done much worse (and stats really do back that up).

However, this franchise has been hampered by bad ownership from virtually day one. AOL/TW didn’t care and didn’t want the team and proved it by spending virtually nothing in player salaries. Now we have these yahoo owners who are the biggest group of idiots I’ve ever seen. As I said, before last season was the prime time to pick up some talented free agents and yet we started the season $7M below the cap. Regardless of whether Don has done a good job or not, he should have already been fired this summer to attempt to salvage what good will might be left from the fans and players. When one star player leaves, another is hinting broadly he won’t be far behind, your fans are all angry, your STHs are jumping ship left and right, and your team just took a MASSIVE step backwards, a MAJOR change HAS to happen. That’s just good business. Since the coach had already been fired, that leaves firing the GM to at least make it APPEAR you are trying to do something different. ASG hasn’t, which tells me they don’t care that the team sucks, the fans are p**, and Kovy is gonna bolt. With that kind of attitude, what GM is here matters not. Same ownership with same attitude = same crappy hockey team.

By Sara

June 19, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

BTW, I want everyone to take a good look at that link I posted up there. It’s enough to make me want to throw up. When your highest paid player is Damian Rhodes at just over $2.5M, you’ve got big problems. In particular, look at the median salaries, especially as compared to other teams in the league. It’s rather illuminating. And depressing. I need a valium..or a drink. Sheesh.

By ThrashDawg

June 19, 2008 7:36 PM | Link to this

Well, I guess my questions have gone unanswered as well! Anybody want to go on record and say what they feel needs to happen for DW to keep his job? I am especially interested in hearing if there is anything that he can do to get people to say he deserves to stay on as GM? I for one will say that if the team does not make the playoffs next year and win at least one game, it is time for a change. I might even say they need to get past the first round. What about the rest of you?

By Hockey Biltong

June 19, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Put down the stick and back away from the horse….

By JooLittle

June 19, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

I myself have been a fan of hockey here in atlanta for 54 years and think it’s all just great and will stand by my team no matter what. And by the way, I like girls

By Tony C.

June 19, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Dude.

Don’t bring up a hawks playoff appearance (as thrilling as it was) that happened just in time to save a beleagured franchise. Especially not in a league that is rumored to be the subject of federal tampering and collusion investigation due to the gambling scandal and subsequent findings from interviews that suggest it’s a RAMPANT issue in the NBA-see Mavericks p(L)ayoff series a few years ago, and PHX’s inexplicable nosedive last season as well as the hawks save-the-franchise “Cindarella” act this year.

It’s not a real defensible position.

Look at the quotes from people around the NHL in regards to the movement of thrashers to other teams: phrases like “Hossa, who is excited to have escaped from Atlanta, …” or “Brunnette, who once languished in Atlanta, has found his game…” There’s a whole bunch of other quotes in a similar vein, from sportswriters from around the continent. I mean when ESPN’s head hockey writer calls outyour organization (in general) and your GM (by name), it’s not what most people would call “positive publicity”… nor is it “personal venom”… it is a highly-respected reporter of all things hockey, who works for the foremost sportsnews network/brand IN THE WORLD putting in print what knowledgeable hockey people have known for years. Just read the quotes at the bottom of the column:

“I love him, but I can’t defend him,” one top GM recently told ESPN.com.

“The question you have to ask yourself is: Where’s the foundation?” another NHL source said.

It’s not just Jeff Schultz….it’s anyone who is passingly familiar with the NHL.

The biggest indictment is if you look at where DW has drafted: Multiple picks in the top-10 for 9 of ten drafts. Poaching unprotected, proven NHL talent in an expansion draft.

It would be different if DW had taken over a dynasty in it’s decline, something like NJD is now-past glory fading into the rearview, and excellent play putting them in unfavorable draft positions.

I realize I’m a novice, but I gaurantee you that if I were given similar circumstances, I might not be able to hold on to anybody I’d drafted, but I’d also have more 4 guys playing at the NHL level after 10 years.

Maybe not. But the point many of us are making is this: “I’m a [insert non-hockey job title], but I don’t think I could do any worse.”

The part that hurts most is that the rest of the league agrees.

By Brendan

June 19, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz, just what WOULD it take for the Spirit Group to fire Don Waddell? I’m looking for an honest answer. The question isn’t “loaded.” It’s a fair question.

If after finishing 28th, in Season Eight, after seven picks in the Top 10 overall since 1999, what exactly would make this ownership fire him?

Truthfully, I don’t think anyone can use any statistical arguments. I know, someone just blew a spitball at me. But hear me out, okay? This ownership isn’t going to respond to any logical argument, based on statistics. We’ve seen that, already. Bruce Levenson’s response was, paraphrasing here, “I don’t want to comment on what happened before us. Don’s hands may have been tied by the previous ownership.”

That’s a real quote, by the way. And yet, the Thrashers were $8 million under the salary cap on Opening Night 2007. ($42.3 million in a cap of $50.3 million.) If ANYONE is handcuffing Waddell financially, it’s the Spirit Group.

I know some of you will want to point out that Atlanta’s Goals Against, since 1999, are the worst or close to it, in the NHL over that span. Again, the Spirit Group will not respond to this as a “valid” criticism, for the reason cited previously, of Don’s hands being tied by previous ownership. If you point out that Waddell has made all 82 draft picks in franchise history, the Spirit Group will not respond to this as a “valid” point of criticism. Which is somewhat amazing. I mean, surely the Atlanta Spirit Group didn’t think that previous ownership made the draft selections? Did they? You can bring to their attention that the Thrashers have drafted 27 defensemen, but only have a pair of 8th rounders to show for it. Admittedly, drafting 8th rounders into the starting lineup is a coup! But uhh, is the 8th round where draft picks are EXPECTED to bear fruit? Clearly, the answer is no, proving what a “shot in the dark” those picks truly were.

Well. When, if ever, can we expect the Atlanta Spirit Group to have an epiphany? They insist that the team is “on the right track.” Unless Don Waddell pulls off the offseason for the ages, this team will be mediocre, at best. More than likely, it will miss the playoffs again. And the ownership will not fire Don Waddell next offseason, either. You can expect more of the same, perhaps with a new word, “rebuilding,” making its debut with them, at that point. (But not now, despite picking 3rd overall, as a strong indicator that the Thrashers are a team that is in rebuilding mode.)

What then?? I’m just asking a question. Will it take a paid attendance of 4,000 or less? 3,000 or less? 2,500? Where is the point of demarcation? And can it be reached by Christmas time? What if … the other team’s fans really will number 8,000 or more? Would that still be enough to save Waddell’s hide? The answer might be “yes.” And if it is, he’s never getting fired until there’s new ownership.

By Tony C.

June 19, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Sara-My objection isn’t with the chant itself, it’s with the Nest’s timing.

Basically, 1 minute after they scored is not really a good time to tell the opther guy he sucks, as Lehtonen fishes the biscuit out of the net.

I enjoy the “name chant” more…if only because I remember being at a kid and watching the Edmontonians doing it…and it working.

But like I said it’s the timing…

ranallo- You have to agree that when the other point man has a clear shot, maybe it would be better to go ahead and take a shot instead of forcing it to #17.

By Brendan

June 19, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Tony C., you and I both know that you would be a better GM than Waddell.

Tony, you, me, and Waddell combined … have the exact same number of NHL playoff wins. It’s a neck-n-neck race.

By The Other Bob

June 19, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

ThrashDawg - Fair enough…I’ll bite :o)

What did I think Waddell needs to do to save his job or make us who feel he should be fired retract that sentiment?

Simple: Start building a winner. It can start with the draft Friday. It seems simple enough…get Bogo. And then, go get that high-profile defender during free agency signing season next month. Someone that brings instant credibility to this pathetic defense.

Then, go get a center for Kovy. Make him happy so he doesn’t Hossa our butts 18 months from now.

Do not try to do this on the cheap…be willing to spend what needs to be spent. We certainly have the cap room. Of course, the owners need to allow this…they are not blameless here, you know.

Then….make sure the new coach is one that will drive this team to excellence. John Anderson will do nicely here.

All of these decisions, the draft, UFA signings, trades, the coaching hire are DWs to make.

It’s on him. If he does well, he deserves the credit.

He deserves the blame if he fails….again.

Then if/when the Ws out-number the Ls…the team makes the playoffs and actually performs well in them due to the team he fielded..he will have done his job. I will then applaud his eforts and give him props-a-plenty.

However, what in the past 10 years gives anyone the belief that he is capable of luring in any big name defender or center.

As each day passes and no coach is named, the more it looks like he hasn’t the ability to bring in a good coach. And he will be forced to settle….yes, settle…for McCrimmon.

The same man that lead our defense to, well, failure.

I HOPE Waddell will succeed. I really do.

I just have no history with the man to give me any faith to go with the hope.

Again, I posted my challenge at 3:31 pm this afternoon. Still, no one…NO ONE can cite ONE reason DW deserves to keep his job based on the stats, the numbers the Ws and Ls. The only thing DW backers can do is insult those who have a grasp on reality.

Thrash Dawg, you at least can enter into the discussion as a reasonable adult. I thank you for that. But I want someone who can point to history, facts, reasonable opinion as to why DW should not be held accountable in the same manner BH was.

Still waiting…

By B. Thenet

June 19, 2008 10:41 PM | Link to this

First I want to address the defense of Brad McCrimmon by Jeff Schultz.

You say he had NO blame in the Thrashers poor performance, what exactly is his role with the team if that is the case?

You say the players would play hard for him if he was the head coach, but since he was only an assistant head coach they did not. Wow, heck of a leader of men he must be.

In addition, one of the main problems on the team is poor play by defenseman. Seeing how that was Brad McCrimmon’s position in the NHL, shouldn’t he have some kind of positive effect on defenseman in his assistant coaching role? Instead it was almost the opposite, our defenseman for the most part got worse as the year went on. Exelby and McCarthy in particular.

A guy who doesn’t take any responsibility for his work, is being endorsed by a team of players who by your own admission did not take much responsibility for their own performance….that sounds like a great idea!

By ranallo10

June 20, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this

Tony C. — Of course I’d like to see Enstrom shoot more on the PP, but that doesn’t mean he will when a I or any other fan yells it. What’s even worse is that that one possibly well timed yell begins the shoot-it virus, and it spreads QUICKLY. People start booing, everyone yells shoot-it, but yet people don’t seem to realize that the puck is in the defensive zone. I’ve heard people yelling “shoot it” when the team was in the neutral zone.

But hey, I can’t control what they yell, but THANK THE LORD STANLEY I don’t have to hear it anymore (due to my impending move). No more “you sucks” or “shoot it” or “Knights” for me…because thankfully the television coverage either doesn’t pick up those chants, or Eliot’s incessant praising drown the chants out (or Kamal’s conniptions, if you’re listening to the radio broadcast).

Sara — I think a mocking chant of a goalies name is far more menacing than saying their name twice then “you suck”. Think about it…the goalie isn’t paying attention to the crowd, he’s focused on the game. After what seems like a muffled or quiet chant it repeats itself, the goalie thinks to himself “did they just say something? I wonder what it was” and you all say “YOU SUCK”.

And I’ve heard only three crowds do that chant…Nashville, Carolina, and Atlanta. Perhaps there’s a reason “traditional” hockey markets flip their nose to the team and the fans of the southeast.

Anyways, I bet you the “you suck” goes unnoticed by 80% of the goalies, and is scoffed at by the 20% who heard it. Of course there’s no way to prove this thought, but I know when I play hockey I don’t hear ANYTHING from beyond the glass…even if it’s a small group of friends cheering (or in my case laughing). I know it’s not the same scale, but I’m sure you understand what I mean.

I agree with you on one aspect of this topic though, hearing more supportive chants like “Kari, Kari” or “Toby, Toby” would be nice. When the crowd starts pulling out the “MVP” or “Kovy” chants, I get goosebumps.

By The Other Bob

June 20, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

OK all you Waddellites…I gave you 18 hours for just one of you to explain just why Don Waddell was not a failure and to tell us all why he should remain as GM.

18 hours and no one…not “Not So Neutral Zoner”…not JSS…not Rim Job, er I mean Remmi…not Terri..not Whammer…not Christina.

No one.

I guess that settles that! All you all can do is act like fools and insult those who have a clue.

When you were called out and put on the spot, you just crawled back into your holes like cowards, eh? …why am I NOT suprised?

By NASCAR Dave

June 20, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

SCHULTZ — B. THENET just stated exactly what I was talking about with BEAST… He is NOT the answer here…

95% of Thrasher fans would probably agree…

If you are PART of the PROBLEM, you are NOT part of the SOLUTION…

NUFF SAID.

By Brendan

June 20, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

In a market like New York, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, L.A., or Philly, the local media would have eaten Waddell alive and held a parade with his entrails by 2003-04.

While I don’t always agree with “win or else” philosophy, there’s just no doubt in my mind that Waddell has had his opportunity to build a scary-good franchise. With two 1st overall picks, two 2nd overall picks, two 8th spot draft positions, a 10th overall, and a 12th overall pick, plus all those favorable 2nd and 3rd round draft positions, most GM’s would salivate at the opportunity that Waddell got to experience. The Atlanta Thrashers ought to be one of the youngest, fastest, most-skilled, most FEARED teams in the National Hockey League. By now, they should have appeared in the Conference Finals at least once, perhaps twice, given the set of circumstances (draft position) they’ve enjoyed.

The bottom line is … Waddell failed. His teams haven’t won a playoff series. They haven’t even won a playoff game. Waddell is a wonderfully “fan friendly,” approachable GM, who loves Atlanta, and cares very deeply about his club, and who desperately wants to succeed. The problem is … he didn’t. And in Season Eight, the wheels fell off his club and crash-landed at 28th place. The ownership’s response was to deny they’d extended Waddell’s contract for another three (3) years.

The word “accountability” is bound to surface at this point. Did Dave Nonis, former Canucks GM, deserve to be fired in Vancouver?? Probably not. But he was fired, precisely over accountability. The Vancouver ownership cited that his fanbase deserved better results than those they experienced. Well, the Atlanta Spirit Group doesn’t feel you deserve better. As a result, they foist Waddell on you. Perennially. And you subsidize him, with a “MY TEAM, NO MATTER WHAT!” attitude. While, on one hand, that’s commendable, but it’s also “enabling” more of the same results.

The truth is … if the Atlanta Thrashers go out of business, it is NOT the fault of the fans. It is the fault of those in charge of making decisions that govern the operation of the franchise. They are accountable for that. Still thinking about that one?

Okay, let’s simplify it a bit. Imagine there’s a restaurant in your neighborhood (not this again!!). Well, it’s apt. The restaurant has terrible service, isn’t clean, isn’t “friendly,” doesn’t have good atmosphere or ambiance, and the chefs who prepare the food are terrible.

Still with me?

Well, do you keep going to that restaurant? If the answer is “yes,” then why would the restaurant owner/manager ever change a thing? Think about it. THINK HARDER.

A-HA, grasshopper! Welcome to enlightenment. Fans who refuse to shell out money for a ridiculous product aren’t “evil, bad fans” who caused team to relocate. They’re simply the customer whose demands the ownership could not and did not meet. And there it is. With no sugarcoating. Be honest. That’s the truth. And you know it.

By NASCAR Dave

June 20, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

A-HA, grasshopper! Welcome to enlightenment. Fans who refuse to shell out money for a ridiculous product aren’t “evil, bad fans” who caused team to relocate. They’re simply the customer whose demands the ownership could not and did not meet. And there it is. With no sugarcoating. Be honest. That’s the truth. And you know it.

Well said, and I agree 100%.

It’s quite sad, actually…

By Old School Al

June 20, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Well said, Brendan! As a former sportswriter in the hardscrabble city of Philadelphia, I can guarantee you Waddell wouldn’t have lasted a year, let alone a decade, in that town!!

By ben

June 20, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

i think a lot of you guys need talk therepy. yes, we all want donnie fired and new owners, but this city never proved it has any interest in supporting a pro sports team that does not play out of Turner Field. That matters. Have any of you thought of that? They will keep losing until this town can build a fan base. Yes, 17 will leave until his number gets hoisted to the rafters, but life goes on.

In every sport there are bad teams and they finish last. Le Thrash are not really a concern of ours really. If Jeff Schultz has an issue with ownership, that’s his business. He does have a working relationship with them while we go on rumor. I do not feel this team will move out of the area. More and more people move here they will go to more games. They might not be fans of the team, but their children will be. I say this with all honesty, some people on this board might want to read their posts after time passes. These people really might want to apprase their life’s goals, ambitions, etc. They need to see where Le Thrash fit into that. I sense a great deal of misdirected anger which the Thrasher organ-i-zation gets the brunt of.

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August 20, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

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August 24, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

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